IBF Orders Tevin Farmer vs. Billy Dib For Interim Title Fight
Tevin Farmer will get another shot to fight for an IBF title.
Farmer and Billy Dib have been ordered to fight for the vacant interim IBF super featherweight title. Both fighters, ranked in the top four in the organization's super featherweight rankings, notified the governing body that the two accepted the fight and will begin negotiations. The IBF told both camps that they have until May 3 to strike a fight deal, or else the fight will go to purse bids.
"Be advised that No. 3 Billy Dib and No. 4 Tevin Farmer are the two highest-ranked available contenders in the IBF junior lightweight division and have indicated a willingness to participate in this interim title fight," the IBF wrote in a statement sent to representatives for both boxers.
The interim title was made after Kenichi Ogawa, who defeated Farmer last year to win the vacant IBF super featherweight title, failed a drug test and will likely be suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Ogawa is still the current champion, but Ogawa could potentially be stripped of the title, meaning the winner of Farmer vs. Dib could be elevated to full world champion.
If Ogawa is not stripped of the title, then the winner between Farmer and Dib would be ordered to fight Ogawa for the title.
The IBF super featherweight title was originally vacant after former champion Gervonta Davis missed weight the day before he was set to defend his title against Francisco Fonseca. Davis won the fight, which took place on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor pay-per-view card.
