Sunny Edwards-Felix Alvarado Mandatory Title Fight Ordered By IBF

Sunny Edwards waited more than six weeks to receive a contract for an agreed unification fight.

Instead, instructions for his next mandatory title defense arrived in his inbox.

BoxingScene.com has learned that England’s Edwards has been ordered to defend his IBF flyweight title against mandatory challenger Felix Alvarado. The fight was formally ordered by the IBF on Thursday, with the two sides granted a 30-day free negotiation period before heading to an auction hearing.

Edwards (18-0, 4KOs) previously sought a flyweight unification fight with current WBC champion Julio Cesar Martinez (18-2, 14KOs; 2NC), and was prepared to travel to Mexico if necessary for the fight. . The two sides tentatively agreed to terms in July, with a specific fight date set for Oct. 22 in either Mexico or England. However, Edwards’ side never received a fight contract from Matchroom Boxing, Martinez’s co-promoter, thus putting the fight in jeopardy.

BoxingScene.com has learned that an official deadline of September 7 has been set to receive signed contracts as proof that the unification fight is taking place. A fight with Martinez was the only exception the IBF would have granted in lieu of a mandatory defense of the title now on the line.

Martinez will reportedly still fight on October 22 in Mexico, though an opponent has yet to be named for the rumored fight date.

Nicaragua’s Alvarado (38-2, 33KOs) previously held the IBF junior flyweight title for more than three years, dating back to his October 2018 knockout victory over Randy Petalcorin on the road in Pasay City, Philippines. His title reign was slowed by the pandemic, injuries and opponent withdrawals, he only made two title defenses along with a late non-title fight last August 14 in Frisco, Texas.

Alvarado’s own inability to secure unification fights led him to vacate the IBF 108-pound title earlier this year. The move was made in exchange for a favorable flyweight ranking to immediately enter a title fight. So far one fight has come from his 2022 campaign, a fourth-round knockout of Luis Cerrito Hernandez on May 21 at his home in Managua, Nicaragua. He was due to take a fight to keep busy later this month in Miami, but will likely be pulled as interim fights are generally banned once mandates are officially ordered.

Edwards has held the IBF title since last April 30, beating champion Moruti Mthalane by unanimous decision in a master class performance at York Hall in Bethnal Green, England. Two successful defenses followed, both resulting in unanimous decision victories in Dubai, including a win over Muhammad Waseem on March 19 in his most recent performance.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox