By Joel Isaac Gonzalez, notifight.com

Panamanian contender Ammeth Diaz (32-11, 23KOs) will have to wait for another opportunity to challenge for a world title. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has ruled in favor of lightweight world champion Miguel Vazquez (33-3, 13KOs), allowing the boxer to move forward with a title defense against another opponent. Vazquez already won a twelve round unanimous decision over Diaz in 2012.

Diaz was set to face Vazquez in a mandatory title rematch on October 26 in Tijuana, Mexico. The fight fell apart a few days before the contest. Vazquez and his team claim Diaz no-showed by refusing to fly over to Mexico. Diaz and his team are claiming that Vazquez's promoter, Zanfer, were very late with providing the plane tickets. They claim the tickets arrived two days before the weigh-in, and Diaz's team felt it was too risky for the boxer's health to arrive in Mexico the day before the contest.

Both teams filed appeals with the IBF, with Diaz looking for a new date to get his shot at Vazquez, and the champion looking to fight a more lucrative contest. The champion won out with the sanctioning body taking his side.