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South African promoter Branco Milenkovic says that his fighter, Vusi Malinga, is ready for the title shot he earned in October 2010 for the bantamweight title held now by Abner Mares, and that Mares has been ordered by the sanctioning body to defend within 90 days.
Malinga (20-3-1, 12 KO) has actually been inactive since October 2010, when he won a decision over Michael Domingo in an IBF eliminator. He was due to face Joseph Agbeko when Agbeko held the title, but that never came about for any number of reasons.
In the meantime, Mares won the belt in August from Agbeko, and then won a clearer decision in their IBF-ordered December rematch. Mares (23-0-1, 13 KO) isn't exactly overwhelmed right now by great contenders, though the bantamweight division is very good, and a fight with Malinga wouldn't be a bad way to start a title reign proper.
It's worth noting that Malinga was stopped in one round by Hozumi Hasegawa in March 2009, and would be a big underdog, but with Nonito Donaire moving up in weight, Anselmo Moreno focused on getting another TV fight in as a showcase next, and guys like Vic Darchinyan and Yonnhy Perez not really flying high right now, Malinga is part of the next group down, where a bunch of guys are pretty much on the same level. As much as I'd like to see someone like Malcolm Tunacao get the shot, Malinga earned his title shot by winning a fight for the title shot.
Mares could also vacate the IBF title if he wanted to, but one gets the feeling he doesn't want to do that, even though he does hold the WBC silver title as well.