WBA super flyweight champion Khalid Yafai has been ordered to defend his title against mandatory challenger Sho Ishida.
The two sides have 30 days from June 6 to reach an agreement for the fight. If a deal could not be reached, then the fight will go to purse bids.
Below is the WBA's official statement on the fight announcement.
The World Boxing Association Championships Committee ordered a bout in the Super Flyweight division between Englishman Khalid Yafai, champion of the category, and Japanese Sho Ishida, number one in the ranking at 115 pounds.
Article 11C of the World Championships Rules establishes that a boxer has 120 days from the date he obtains the title to carry out a mandatory fight. In the case of Yafai, who won his belt on December 10th, 2016, this deadline expired on April 10th, 2017.
For his part, Sho Ishida became the main rival of the British boxer thanks to his immaculate record of 24 victories with 13 knockouts, with no losses nor draws. Although he has never fought for a world title, he was Japan’s national champion at 115 pounds.
Both parties were duly notified this June 6th and have 30 days to reach an agreement or the fight will be called to purse bids.
Yafai won the WBA title after beating Luis Concepcion via unanimous decision back in December. Yafai recently made his first defense last month, defeating Suguru Muranaka in a decision victory. Sho Ishida is 24-0 in his career, holding the Japanese super flyweight title from 2014-16.
