Will there be a featherweight [126] unification?

[Malvado]

Last unification was in 2003. Juan Manuel Marquez vs Derrick Gainer for the IBF and WBA featherweight titles.





it has been 21 years, shouldn't Top rank be trying to pit Luis Alberto Lopez against Rafael Espinoza?

[Malvado]

Bumping this thread.

Apparently Rafael Espinoza will fight the 2nd ranked WBO contender in the featherweight rankings in 22nd of June. His name is Sergio Chirino Sanchez (22-1, 13 KOs). Only ever stopped by Mauricio Lara earlier in his career barely turning 24 years old.

After his loss, his run hasn’t exactly been impressive, his last seven opponents were coming off of losses but at least he is getting busy.

Luis Alberto Lopez (30-2, 17 KOs) is going to defend his IBF world featherweight title against Angelo Leo (24-1, 11 KOs) in August 10.

Is it possible that Bob Arum could persuade them to fight each other afterwards?

[just the facts]

Bumping this thread.

Apparently Rafael Espinoza will fight the 2nd ranked WBO contender in the featherweight rankings in 22nd of June. His name is Sergio Chirino Sanchez (22-1, 13 KOs). Only ever stopped by Mauricio Lara earlier in his career barely turning 24 years old.

After his loss, his run hasn’t exactly been impressive, his last seven opponents were coming off of losses but at least he is getting busy before at Top Rank.

Luis Alberto Lopez (30-2, 17 KOs) is going to defend his IBF world featherweight title against Angelo Leo (24-1, 11 KOs) in August 10.

Is it possible that Bob Arum could entice them to fight each other afterwards?

While I think everyone would love to see that fight, the truth is that the common denominator in all unification fights is $$$$. Neither of those fighter command enough money for promoters to put that fight together.

[_Rexy_]

There hasn’t been a UNIFIED champ at 126 in over 20 years?? That’s fking wild

[famicommander]

There hasn’t been a UNIFIED champ at 126 in over 20 years?? That’s fking wild

The lineal strawweight crown has been vacant since Ricardo Lopez vacated it in 1999.

[_Rexy_]

The lineal strawweight crown has been vacant since Ricardo Lopez vacated it in 1999.

Ginjiro needs to fix that

[Spray_resistant]

Keep in mind the WBC title spent 6 years being rarely defended by GRJ and how has been in the status of a hot potato passed around between different fighters for the last couple years.

[Malvado]

Ginjiro needs to fix that

Ginjiro Shigeoka vs Oscar Collazo could be one of the biggest fights in the division since Ricardo Lopez vs Rosendo Alvarez I-II. Should take place in Japan considering they actually appreciate the fighters as the headliners and could pack up the Tokyo Dome.

[crimsonfalcon07]

There hasn’t been a UNIFIED champ at 126 in over 20 years?? That’s fking wild

No lineal in 25 years, no unified in over 20, but Inoue needs to get a win at 126 to be a global superstar .

Meanwhile 115-122 is absolutely full of talent, but NSB has no clue.

[Malvado]

While I think everyone would love to see that fight, the truth is that the common denominator in all unification fights is $$$$. Neither of those fighter command enough money for promoters to put that fight together.

That's a darn shame then, honestly think the division is packed with superb fighters and if well promoted could be quite popular. Guess we see after Inoue takes care of business at 122 in 2024-2025 and see if his stardom brings in viewers to the division in the future.