IBF ORDERS SOLIS TO FACE BATAWANG
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Sep 2007
IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker Jr has informed the handlers of light flyweight champion Ulises Solis that the Philippines’ Bert Batawang is the mandatory challenger and Solis has to defend his title against the Filipino before October 25.
Tucker sent Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions an email informing him that "negotiations should begin immediately and be concluded by September 25" with Golden Boy Promotions who represent Batawang following an agreement signed last year between the famed ALA Gym of respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer and Golden Boy vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez and international matchmaker Samson Lewkowicz.
Tucker told Beltran that in the event they fail to negotiate the title fight by the 25th of September the IBF "will call for a purse bid to be held to determine who will promote the fight, when and where."
Well known Cebu-based promoter Sammy Gello-ani had earlier sought clarification from Lewkowicz following reports that Solis whose title defense against Batawang was initially postponed because of a supposed hand injury suffered by the champion, was being lined up to defend his title against undefeated Giovanni Segura (18-0, 14 KO’s) at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on October 4.
ESPN’s Dan Rafael reported the Solis fight was being offered to Segura, a top contender also promoted by Top Rank.
Lewkowicz immediately emailed Tucker informing him that Batawang was "ready, willing and able" to face the challenge of Mexican champion Solis, the brother of Jorge Solis who lost by an eighth round knockout to Manny Pacquiao in San Antonio, Texas last April.
Lewkowicz thanked Tucker on behalf of Batawang, his team and the Philippines for what he described as "the deserved opportunity for this Filipino warrior" referring to the 35 year old Batawang who has a record of 50-6 with 34 knockouts and has been training without let-up at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
Batawang is confident of doing what Rodel Mayol failed to accomplish when he had Solis in dire straights in the sixth round of their title fight but couldn't put him away and in the end Mayol's lack of training cost him as Solis connected with a cracking right hook in the eighth round to score a knockout and retain his title.
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