On Tuesday, the IBF held a purse bid for a middleweight elimination bout between Etinosa Oliha of Italy and Austin Williams of Texas. There were two bidders: Agon Sports & Events, a German company that represents the Ityalian Oliha, and Matchroom, who promotes Williams. The purse bid was won by Mathroom, with a winning bid of $233,333. Agon's bid was $215,313. Because Oliha is ranked #2 by the IBF and Williams is several spots lower, IBF rules provide the winning bid will be split 75% for Oliha and 25% for Williams. Under IBF rules, Oliha-Williams "must be scheduled to take place not less than 28 days and not more than 90 days from the date of the bid award, unless a different date is agreed to in writing by the boxers and/or approved by the [IBF] Championships Committee."

Williams is 18-1 with two straght wins after a loss in June to Hamzah Sheeraz. Those wins came over Gian Garrido (11-2) and Patrice Volny (19-2). Oliha is 21-0  and is on a run of five consecutive victories over quality opposition in the past two years. The IBF middleweight champion is Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, who also holds the WBO title.