The WBC has ordered three fights: flyweight champion Julio César Martínez must make a mandatory defense against Puerto Rico's McWilliams Arroyo; Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramírez and Marcus Browne have been instructed to negotiate a battle for the interim light heavyweight title; women's featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich was ordered to face multi-division champion Amanda Serrano. The three fights have a free negotiation period until February 5th, and if not, a purse bid will take place.

 

Martínez was previously set to make the mandatory defense against Arroyo in August, but due to a medical setback it was postponed. Arroyo has not fought since December 2019, when he defeated Juan Medina.

 

The WBC said it was creating an interim light heavyweight title because champion Artur Beterbiev has had some setbacks, the last of them being coronavirus. However, Beterbiev will likely fight again before Ramirez-Browne takes place.

 

The Canadian Mrdjenovich (41-10-2, 19 KOs) has just beaten Paola Torres in December in her first match on US soil, while Serrano (39-1-1, 29 KOs) comes from knocking out Dahiana Santana in one round in December.