By Hilmar Rojas

The Championship Committee of the World Association ordered the start of negotiations between Derry Mathews and Ismael Barroso, to battle for the interim WBA 135-pound title.

Failure to reach an agreement and have it signed and submitted to the WBA before August 10, 2015, will cause a purse bid to be called.

Mathews (38-9, 20 KO) defeated Tony Louis on April 18th to take over the interim belt, and now must defend his championship against undefeated Venezuelan contender Barroso (18-0, 17 KO).

Barroso is currently ranked at second in the division under the WBA.