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The IBF has ordered a March 6 purse bid for a fight between welterweight titleholder Errol Spence Jr and mandatory challenger Carlos Ocampo, with the two sides thus far unable to reach a deal by the deadline.
The two sides can still make a deal by March 6, of course. The fight would be on June 16 in Dallas, when Spence is scheduled to return on Showtime.
Spence (23-0, 20 KO) last fought in January, dominating and stopping Lamont Peterson over seven rounds. He’s spent a lot of time talking about a fight later this year with Keith Thurman (or more likely 2019, if you listen to Thurman’s responses), but a fight with Ocampo (22-0, 13 KO) simply has to happen, even if there’s no clamor for it.
Mexico’s Ocampo has beaten a few journeymen in his time as a pro, but has yet to face a contender. He’d be stepping up big time in competition, and frankly would not be expected to be competitive.