IBF orders Kid Galahad-Claudio Marrero final eliminator

Good news for Kid Galahad, bad news for the viewing audience. The IBF has reportedly ordered Galahad, who lost a stinker to IBF featherweight champ Josh Warrington in June, to face Dominican puncher Claudio Marrero to determine Warrington’s next mandatory challenger. The two are ranked #7 and #8, respectively, by the sanctioning body, and have until a September 24th purse bid to hash things out.

It makes sense rankings-wise; Warrington is set to face #4 Sofiane Takoucht in Leeds next month, #5 Tugstsogt Nyambayar is still fighting to enforce his WBC mandatory status against Gary Russell Jr., and #6 Reiya Abe lost a decision over the weekend. #3 Jhack Tepora might not be happy, though.

Galahad (26-1, 15 KO) had an argument for deserving the win over Warrington, though you’ll find few willing to go over the tape and break said argument down for you, so giving him the chance to set up a quick do-over makes sense. Marrero (24-3, 17 KO) is no pushover, however; his last three fights have seen him flatten Jorge Lara in seconds, give a good account of himself against Nyambayar, and take a decision over Eduardo Ramirez on the Charlo-Adams undercard. Galahad will definitely have to earn his second chance.