By Ronnie Nathanielsz
INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker said the IBF will approve a light flyweight title fight between champion Ulises Solis of Mexico and the Philippines’ Brian Viloria if an official request is made.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he planned to stage a blockbuster double championship card at the Araneta Coliseum in March, featuring IBF/International Boxing Organization flyweight champion Nonito Donaire against World Boxing Organization super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel, and Viloria against Solis in another Philippine-Mexican showdown.
“If Solis requests to fight Viloria, the IBF would approve the fight because Solis is in an optional period and can fight anyone in the Top 15 until June 2, 2009,” said Tucker.
Viloria is now rated no. 12 by the IBF.
Tucker mentioned the fact that there were rumors two months ago that the Viloria-Solis fight would take place in China in reference to a previous statement by Arum that Macau, China, was a likely venue.
The IBF official, at the same time, said he was not aware of a fight between Donaire and Montiel.
“The IBF would not stop that fight, unless Donaire wanted to fight during his mandatory period,” said Tucker.
At the same time, Tucker said that should Donaire lose in his fight against Montiel, “he would still keep his IBF flyweight championship if he fought over the 112-pound weight limit.”
