
Anson Wainwright
Apr 29, 2025
1 min read
The title became vacant when Fernando Martinez vacated to allow him to rematch Kazuto Ioka.
A rematch between Willibaldo Garcia and Rene Calixto Bibiano, Mexicans who fought to a 12-round draw for the vacant IBF junior bantamweight title in December, is coming May 23 in Zacatecas, Mexico.
MP Promotions, which co-promotes Garcia with BXTSRS, won the purse bid ($151,100.10) after both sides couldn't reach an agreement for the rematch after their bout in Shizuoka, Japan.
The original rematch date had been April 26.
The title became vacant when Fernando Martinez vacated to allow him to rematch Kazuto Ioka, which will take place May 11.
Garcia (22-5-2, 13 KOs) turned professional in 2017. He lost three of his first five, but reeled off eight wins before narrowly losing to future WBC bantamweight titlist Alexandro Santiago (MD 10) and former two-time bantamweight beltholder Paul Butler (SD 10).
The 35-year-old won 10 fights to earn a fight for the IBF title against Bibiano (D 12).
Bibiano (23-0-1, 9 KOs) made his debut in 2016. The 30-year-old won his first 23 fights with all but two on home soil.
His most impressive win came in May 2024 when he ouboxed Sikho Nqothole (UD 10).
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him on Twitter@AnsonWainwr1ght
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