Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela will try his hand in another title eliminator this year.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the IBF has ordered a final elimination bout between Mexico’s Valenzuela and unbeaten countryman Lindolfo Delgado.
The two parties were instructed to contact the sanctioning body by no later than the end of business day Thursday to confirm their interest, per a ruling obtained by BoxingScene.
Should the fight move forward, the winner will become the IBF 140lbs mandatory challenger. The current title holder is Richardson Hitchins, 20-0 (8 KOs), who will remain in the voluntary phase of his title reign until the number one position is filled.
Delgado, 23-0 (16 KOs), is the IBF number three contender at 140lbs and is promoted by Top Rank. Valenzuela, 31-4-1 (17 KOs), rated number four, is promoted by BXSTRS and represented in talks by renowned international boxing personality Sean ‘VIVA’ Gibbons.
The need for a new eliminator arose after Australia’s Liam Paro, 26-1 (15 KOs) – a former IBF 140lbs titlist - withdrew from the process to instead begin his welterweight campaign.
Delgado was willing to go through with the fight, which he viewed as a natural next step in his promising career. The 2016 Olympian for Mexico is coming off his most notable win to date, albeit in a disputed majority draw verdict over Elvis Rodriguez on April 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It represents the lone fight of the year for the 30-year-old Delgado, after a three-win 2024 campaign.
Meanwhile, Valenzuela heads towards his second IBF-sanctioned eliminator this year.
The 30-year-old bubble contender from Guadalajara was in the right place at the right time when the need arose earlier this year to solidify an IBF mandatory challenger at the weight.
Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jnr were the sanctioning body’s two highest rated challengers at the time. However, they were already scheduled to fight for the WBO interim 140lbs title, won by Barboza via decision on February 15 in Manchester.
It opened the door for Valenzuela to fight Subriel Matias, only to lose via eighth round stoppage on March 1 in his opponent’s hometown of Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
Matias – a former IBF titleholder – has since claimed the WBC 140lbs title.
Valenzuela saw a five-fight win streak snapped with the loss to the Puerto Rican knockout artist. He rebounded with a ten-round decision over Manuel Medina on May 30 in his Guadalajara hometown. It helped him remain within one win of his first career title shot.
Per IBF Rule 9, either boxer who declines to participate in the ordered eliminator will fall outside the sanctioning body’s top ten for at least six months.
