By Ricardo Mendez Archibold, notifight.com
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) ordered the negotiations for the World Lightweight title fight (135 pounds) between Panamanian challenger Ameth Diaz (32-11, 23 KOs) and reigning Miguel Vazquez (33-3, 13 KOs) of Mexico.
Diaz will be represented by Isthmus Promotions and Events, chaired by Roger Espiño, while Vazquez is by Fernando Beltran's Zanfer Promotions.
Both companies have until July 3 to reach a deal or a purse bid will get ordered.
"The IBF has ordered the initiation of negotiations for the world lightweight title fight between champion and challenger. We have until July 3 to negotiate, and if we do not to reach an agreement we will have to go to a purse bid to set the date and venue of the fight," said Espiño.
Last year Vazquez and Diaz fought, and the champion retained his crown with a unanimous decision in Jalisco, Mexico.
Vazquez was crowned in August 2010, and has now made six successful defenses. His most recent fight was against Filipino Mercito Gesta, and he won by unanimous decision last December 8 in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Diaz will take his second title shot. His most recent bout was on May 31 in the UK, where he knocked Martin Gethin in the seventh of a final eliminator.
