On January 21st, the IBF ordered it super flyweight champion Willibaldo Garcia and Australia's Andrew Maloney to begin negotiations for Garcia's mandatory defense of the title. An agreement was not reached within the timeframe set forth by the IBF, so the IBF has scheduled a purse bid for March 5th. Garcia, a 36 year-old Mexican with a 23-6-2 record, won the vacant title from Rene Calixto last may after a draw with Calixto in 2024. Moloney (28-4) is a former WBA regular champion who has won two straight since a 2024 loss to Pedro Guevara.