FILIPINO boxing hero Manny Pacquiao may end up defending his International Boxing Federation super bantamweight crown against mandatory challenger Jose Luis Valbuena of Venezuela in his next fight.
This after the IBF ordered the people?s world featherweight champion Pacquiao and Valbuena to a purse-bid on January 16, just one day before Pacquiao and business manager Rod Nazario will leave for United States to negotiate with HBO top honchos regarding his next fight.
Gregory Leon of Boxingtalk.net reported that the purse-bid will take place at noon at the IBF?s new offices on 516 Main Street in East Orange, New Jersey.
The IBF, under the leadership of Marian Muhammad, warned that Pacquiao would be stripped of his IBF title if he snubs the purse-bid and fight anybody else other than Valbuena. Should this happens, Valbuena will take on Israel Vazquez, the next available contender, for the vacant crown.
