The IBF has ordered Arely Mucino to defend her IBF Female world flyweight title belt against mandatory challenger Gabriela Fundora.

BoxingScene has received a copy of the letter by the IBF, which was sent to Golden Boy Promotions, which promotes Mucino, and Sampson Lewkowicz, who promotes Fundora, on July 13. Carlos Ortiz, Jr., who is the Championships Chairman of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) sent out the letter to the respective parties.

According to the letter sent by the IBF, Mucino’s mandatory defense of the title is due on or before July 29, nine months after winning the belt (October 29). Mucino defeated previously-unbeaten Leonela Yudica of Argentina by split-decision in San Diego.

Both sides have been ordered to negotiate and come to an agreement by August 13. If a deal cannot be finalized by both sides within 30 days, the IBF will call for a purse bid. 

With the win over Yudica, Mucino (32-3-2, 11 KOs), who resides in Monterrey, Mexico, has won her last 11 bouts, four of them by split or majority decision. 

The 34-year-old also was the WBO world titleholder at 112 pounds. 

Fundora (11-0, 4 KOs), who resides in Coachella, California, faced her toughest to date in her last bout on April 8, defeating former world title challenger Maria Micheo Santizo of Guatemala by unanimous decision.

The 21-year-old has remained very active in recent months, having fought five times in 2022 and twice this year. Her fights have taken place in the United States and in Mexico.

Fundora is the youngest sister of junior middleweight contender Sebastian Fundora. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing