IBF Orders Lopez vs. Delgado for Vacant Junior Welterweight Title

Teofimo Lopez has been ordered by the International Boxing Federation to face undefeated contender Lindolfo Delgado for the vacant junior welterweight title, providing the former two-division champion an immediate opportunity to reclaim a belt at 140 pounds.

The IBF's directive came shortly after Richardson Hitchins vacated the strap to campaign at welterweight. Hitchins, who held the title briefly, withdrew from a scheduled defense against Oscar Duarte in February due to illness. With Duarte and No. 4-ranked Keyshawn Davis both booked for bouts in May, Lopez, ranked fifth by the IBF, emerged as the next challenger. Delgado, a 31-year-old Mexican southpaw with a 24-0 record including 16 knockouts, last fought in November and trains at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy.

Lopez, 26, suffered a unanimous decision loss to Shakur Stevenson on January 31 at Madison Square Garden in New York, where he dropped the WBO junior welterweight title in a one-sided affair. Stevenson, now a four-division champion at age 27, dominated with precise jabs and defensive movement over 12 rounds. Reflecting on the defeat in a post-fight interview, Lopez expressed confidence in his resilience, stating,...