IBF WILL APPROVE VILORIA-SOLIS TITLE FIGHT
by Ronnie Nathanielsz

International Boxing Federation Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker says 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 sometime ago that he planned to stage a blockbuster double championship card at the Araneta Coliseum in March featuring IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire vs WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel and Viloria vs Solis in another Philippine-Mexican showdown.

Tucker said “if Solis requested to fight Viloria the IBF would approve the fight because S olis is in an optional period and can fight anyone in the top 15 until June 2, 2009.” Viloria is currently 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 Macao , China was a likely venue.

The IBF official at the same time said he was not aware of a fight between IBF flyweight champion Donaire and WBO junior bantamweight/super flyweight champion Montiel.

However, Tucker said the IBF “would not stop that fight unless Donaire wanted to fight during his mandatory period.

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.”

Popularity: 5% [?]