Melvin Lopez vs Emmanuel Rodriguez Vacant Bantamweight Title Bout Set by IBF

IBF has officially ordered a vacant bantamweight title bout between Melvin Lopez and Emmanuel Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez is a no. 2 ranked fighter whereas Melvin Lopez sits at no. 4 in the rankings. Initially, IBF ordered a match between no. 1 ranked Vincent Astrolabio and Rodriguez. But, now Astrolabio will face no. 3 ranked Jason Moloney for the WBO title. 

Another One of my Islands fighter getting his shot at a World title. Emmanuel Rodriguez is a former IBF Bantamweight World Champion. Time to become a two time World Champion. Let’s Go 🇵🇷!! https://t.co/7yMNXTxudo

— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) February 28, 2023

As a result, Melvin Lopez gets an opportunity to challenge for the IG+BF bantamweight title. Emmanuel Rodriguez is coming off two back-to-back wins against Gary Antonio Russell and Roberto Sanchez Cantu. 

On the other hand, Melvin Lopez hasn’t lost a match since his TKO loss against Joss Valesquez back in 2019. He is coming off a split-decision win against Jobert Alvarez in December 2022. 

After WBA and WBC, now IBF also announced the bout for the vacant bantamweight belt. Now, it remains to be seen who will be the new IBF bantamweight champion.