Upon Carl Frampton giving up the belt this week in order to move up and face Leo Santa Cruz for the WBA featherweight title, it had been expected that mandatory Wake would be pitted against next in line, which is Rey Vargas. Due to the IBF’s policy of a fighter having to win an eliminator in order to contest the title, it was never going to be that straight forward and Vargas faces a further wait.
As Guzman and Rosas were already scheduled to meet and both were in the IBF Top 15, this was a natural fight to approve in order to give Wake the quickest opportunity after his possible shot at Frampton fell through.
“The IBF approved Jonathan Guzman vs. Daniel Rosas for the number two spot before we found out that Carl Frampton was vacating the Title,” Tucker confirmed to World Boxing News. “The winner of that fight will fight Shingo Wake for the vacant title.”
Guzman won by retiring Rosas in eight round of their PBC contest and now possesses a standout record of 21-0 with 21 stoppages.
Wake is set to battle Guzman at some point over the summer – should negotiations run smoothly, as the IBF move closer to crowning a new ruler at 122 pounds.
