Assumptions had been made that the Odyssey Arena encounter would be approved by the International Boxing Federation for mandatory status due to the fact that both fighters currently hold fringe belts with the organisation.
IBF spokesperson Jeannette Salazar revealed that this will not be the case when contacted today on the matter as former champion Jeffrey Mathebula currently sits above Frampton and Parodi in the rankings.
“The IBF has received an informal request for Frampton v Parodi to be approved. However, we would not be able to approve it,” Salazar confirmed to WBN.
“Mathebula is in the number one position and an exception was granted for current title holder Jhonatan Romero to fight Kiko Martinez. The winner of that fight, which takes place on Saturday, has to fight Mathebula within 90 days.”
This new information leaves the winner of Frampton v Parodi potentially facing another six month wait for a title chance with Mathebula set to have his chance at regaining the red belt before the end of the year.
