Willibaldo Garcia and Rene Calixto will run it back.

The Ring has learned the IBF has ordered a rematch between the pair of Mexican junior bantamweight contenders to vie for its vacant title. The two fought to a twelve-round, split decision draw in their terrific Dec. 20 outing at Twin Messe in Shizuoka, Japan.

It was deemed by the IBF that the Fight of the Year contender was close enough to where nobody else should jump the line to fight for the still-vacant title. The two sides will now have until Jan. 28 to reach a deal and avoid a purse bid hearing.

Garcia (22-5-2, 13 KOs) is represented by BXSTRS Promotions and Manny Pacquiao's MP Promotions. Calixto (23-0-1, 9 KOs) fights for TMK International Promotions, headed by current featherweight contender and former WBO bantamweight titlist Tomoki Kameda (42-4, 23 KOs).

The two sides were previously ordered to a 30-day negotiation period ahead of their first meeting. A deal was already reached in principle by that point, and they were able to avoid the purse bid route.

As much is expected the second time around, other than to determine whether to stage the bout in Mexico or return to Japan.

Their non-stop slugfest in December saw the judges unable to produce a winner.

Garcia prevailed by 118-110 on judge Tetsuya Iida’s card. Judge Surat Soikrachang (116-112) scored the fight for Calixto, while judge Edward Ligas (114-114) awarded six rounds apiece to produce the stalemate.

The belt was vacated by Argentina’s Fernando Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs), The Ring’s No. 1 junior bantamweight. A decision was made by Martinez—who still holds the WBA title–to proceed with a more lucrative rematch with Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs), The Ring No. 2 contender, in lieu of a mandatory title defense against Garcia.

A weird plot twist transpired when Martinez fell ill and was forced to withdraw from the Dec. 31 sequel with Ioka just hours before the official weigh-in. As a result, he was left with one less belt and no payday to show for his actions.

Furthermore, Martinez will likely miss out on the chance to revisit plans with Ioka, whom he defeated in their fantastic July 6 WBA/IBF unification match. That bout was made as a one-time exception. Interim WBA titlist David Jimenez (16-1, 11 KOs), The Ring No. 9 contender, is overdue to receive his mandatory title shot.

Nevertheless, the IBF void figures to be filled by then, absent another draw verdict.

Neither Garcia nor Calixto are rated by The Ring. Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs) is The Ring and WBC 115-pound champion. A top ten spot would have been made available if a winner was produced in December. The split draw left both just on the outside looking in, even after their fantastic joint effort.

They now have another chance at a lasting impression—and a first major title win.