Last December, Mexicans Willibaldo Garcia and Rene Calixto Bibiano fought to a 12-round draw when they contested the vacant IBF junior bantamweight title in Shizuoka, Japan.
When both sides couldn't reach agreement for the rematch, the fight went to purse bids, which was won by MP Promotions, who co-promote Garcia with BXTSRS. They won the rights to the fight with a bid of $151,100.10. The fight will take place in Zacatecas, Mexico on May 23th.
The fight was originally going to take place on April 26 before the switch.
The title became vacant when Fernando Martinez vacated to allow him to rematch Kazuto Ioka, which will take place on May 11.
Garcia (22-5-2, 13 knockouts) turned professional in 2017. He lost three of his first five outings. He reeled off eight wins before narrowly losing to future WBC bantamweight titlist Alexandro Santiago (MD 10) and former two-time bantamweight beltholder Paul Butler (SD 10).
The 35-year-old won 10 fights to earn a fight for the IBF title against Bibiano (D 12).
Meanwhile, Bibiano (23-0-1, 9 KOs) made his debut in 2016. The 30-year-old won his first 23 fights with all bar two at home.
He most impressively he ouboxed Sikho Nqothole (UD 10).
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