The World Boxing Organization has ordered WBO super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka to make a mandatory defense against top contender and former world champion Francisco Rodriguez Jr.
The two sides have 30 days to negotiate before a purse bid is ordered.
Rodriguez (34-4-1, 24 KO), a former WBO minimumweight champ, was scheduled to face flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez last December. The fight fell through when Martinez withdrew with an illness.
Rodriguez is ranked at number two by the WBO. He received the mandatory crack by default, because number one rated Srisaket Sor Rungvisai is involved in the WBC’s four man tournament at super fly. He will face Carlos Cuadras in a rematch, with the winner getting a direct shot at the victor of the trilogy fight between Juan Francisco Estrada and Chocolatito Gonzalez.
Ioka (26-2, 15 KOs) was in action back in December, when he pulled off a stoppage win over undefeated Kosei Tanaka in a highly anticipated fight in Tokyo. It was his first bout in a year since winning a decision over mandatory Jeyvier Cintron in December 2019.
Rodriguez picked up a decision win back in February over Martin Tecuapetla. He’s won 15 fights in a row since losing back to back decisions to Donnie Nietes and Moises Fuentes back in 2015.