BY JAKE DONOVAN
October 31, 2023
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Eduardo Nunez has powered his way into contention.
The Mexican knockout artist would prefer to punch a hole through the wall and head straight to a title shot.
However, BoxingScene.com confirmed on Monday that the IBF has ordered a junior lightweight title elimination bout between Nunez and former titleholder Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov. The promoters for both boxers were instructed to enter a maximum 14-day negotiation period to reach terms for a fight. All of the junior lightweight titlists were put on notice by the 26-year-old from Los Mochis, Mexico shortly after his second-round knockout Oscar Escandon. Nunez dropped the former interim titleholder with a right hand en route to his fifteenth consecutive stoppage victory in their DAZN-aired bout Saturday evening from Cancun, Mexico.
The idea headed into the evening was that he would go on to next face former IBF junior lightweight titlist Shavkat Rakhimov in a title eliminator. A box-off tournament was ordered by the IBF to determine the next mandatory challenger Joe Cordina (15-0, 9KOs), who next faced Edward Vazquez this Saturday in Monte Carlo.
A different approach is sought by the lights-out puncher known affectionately as ‘Sugar.’ “I would love to face [WBC junior lightweight titlist] O’Shaquie,” Nuñez told DAZN’s Claudia Trejos through Matchroom Boxing translator Ciaran Simpson. “I would also love to face IBF champ Joe Cordina.”
Foster (21-2, 12KOs) scored a come-from-behind, 12th round knockout of Eduardo ‘Rocky’ Hernandez (34-2, 31KOs) to retain his WBC 130-pound title in the evening’s thrilling main event. The 30-year-old switch hitter from the greater Houston area has a brief period to secure a voluntary title defense before he is ordered to face a second straight second mandatory challenger. His desire is to face Cordina (15-0, 9KOs), provided the unbeaten Welshman beats San Antonio’s Edward Vazquez this weekend in Monte Carlo. Nunez (25-1, 25KOs) is co-promoted by BXSTRS and Matchroom Boxing, the latter who also represents Cordina and Hernandez. There is also interest within Matchroom to obtain the services of Foster.
A longshot option for Nunez if he can’t land an in-house title shot is an all-Mexico showdown versus Emanuel Navarrete (37-1, 31KOs), a three-division and reigning WBO junior lightweight titlist who is promoted by Top Rank and also works with BXSTRS. Next up for Navarrete is a November 16 title defense versus Robson Conceicao in Las Vegas.
“Emanuel Navarrete is someone I admire from afar,” noted Nunez of his countryman. “But that is a fight I would take as well.”
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