Willibaldo Garcia and Kenshiro Teraji have a fight date but still need the full blessing from the IBF for their bout to move forward in present form.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the IBF is prepared to conditionally approve an exception request from Mexico’s Garcia to proceed with a voluntary defense of his 115lbs title. However, both fighters must agree – in writing – that the winner of their December 27 clash will next face mandatory challenger Andrew Moloney.
That bout must take place no later than June 25, 2025, per a ruling obtained by BoxingScene.
Garcia-Teraji is due to take place on the December 27 Riyadh Season card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Japan vs. Mexico show is headlined by Naoya Inoue’s undisputed 122lbs championship defense against unbeaten Alan David Picasso, and also includes three-division champ Junto Nakatani in his junior featherweight debut.
The full card was released by event handlers, which included Garcia-Teraji in the lineup despite the fact that the bout was only agreed to in principle and not finalized. It is highly probable that the fight will move forward, though not before both sides agree to all terms set forth by the IBF.
Garcia, 23-6-2 (13 KOs), will attempt the first defense of the belt he claimed in a 12-round split decision over countryman Rene Calixto in their May 23 rematch in Zacatecas, Mexico. The bout came five months after the two fought to a split decision draw last December 21, which left the IBF title vacant.
Teraji, 25-2 (16 KOs), will make his 115lbs debut and aims to become a three-division titlist in the process.
A former 108lbs champion and unified 112lbs titleholder, Teraji opted to move up in weight after his July 30 split decision defeat to Ricardo Sandoval in Yokohama, Japan. The setback ended his WBA/WBC flyweight title reign, which only began last October.
Teraji previously served as the lineal, WBA and WBC junior flyweight champion before he vacated the throne last summer.
The IBF ruling provides the protection long sought by Australia’s Moloney, 27-4 (17 KOs), who has yet to fight this year. The former secondary WBA 115lbs titleholder was due to face Mexico’s Argi Cortes in an IBF eliminator that was delayed multiple times and then changed locations during fight week earlier this summer.
Moloney bailed from the fight, in part citing the lack of professionalism from Zanfer Boxing. His team also expressed concern over his fighting in a higher-altitude setting in Mexico City after having spent nearly a month in a different region in Mexico.
Despite the fallout, Moloney remained in place as the IBF’s highest-rated junior bantamweight contender. He now aims to return to the ring in a rust-shaking affair, having not fought since a third-round knockout of Jakrawut Majungoen last December 15 in Flemington, Australia.
Per the IBF ruling, the exception process is now exhausted as it relates to this title. It means that the winner cannot seek any other fight, not even a full unification bout with whomever prevails in the Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez-Fernando “Pumita” Martinez three-belt showdown later this year.
