By Francisco Salazar

Looks like boxing may see a competitive bout between two southpaw junior welterweights.

 

The IBF/ USBA ordered on Thursday for USBA junior welterweight champion Cleotis “Mookie” Pendarvis to enter into negotiations to defend his title against mandatory challenger Ricardo Williams.

 

Williams, the Silver Medalist at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, has already agreed to the fight in writing. The promotional parties that represent both fighters will also enter into negotiations.

 

Williams (21-3, 11 KOs), from Cincinnati, OH, has not fought since stopping Luis Ramos after the fifth round on December 8th in Anaheim, CA.

 

Pendarvis (17-4-2, 6 KOs) was stopped in the fourth round by Dierry Jean during an evenly-matched fight in Miami, OK on May 10th. Pendarvis, who resides in the Los Angeles-area, had his seven-fight winning streak snapped.

 

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