IBF Orders Delgado and Biyarslanov Back to the Table for the Vacant 140-Pound Title, Deadline Nov. 23

The IBF isn't letting this one die in the desert. Lindolfo Delgado and Arthur Biyarslanov have to sit down and negotiate again, and the clock runs out Nov. 23.

The sanctioning body ordered both fighters on Nov. 3 to resume talks for the vacant IBF junior welterweight title, Mike Coppinger and World Boxing News reported. Their Oct. 31 fight on the Canelo-Mbilli card in Riyadh fell through after Delgado decided not to travel to Saudi Arabia.

What the IBF's notice says

Coppinger posted an image of the IBF's notice. It says Delgado became the No. 1 and mandatory challenger on Nov. 15, 2025, by beating Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela in an IBF-ordered eliminator. On May 27, 2026, the IBF ordered Delgado and Biyarslanov to negotiate for the vacant title, and the two sides agreed to the Riyadh date.

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Then, per the notice, the IBF was told on Oct. 24 that Delgado had decided not to travel. "After reviewing the circumstances, the IBF has ordered both fighters to negotiate again," it reads, with a deadline of Nov. 23, 2026.

The notice doesn't say what happens if the deadline passes without a deal.

How we got here

Delgado (24-0, 16 KOs) and Biyarslanov (21-0, 17 KOs) were meant to settle the vacant belt in Riyadh. We covered the Delgado pullout, trainer Robert Garcia's reasons, and Biyarslanov heading home. Biyarslanov wasn't happy about it, writing on X that "19/20 boxers showed up," per BoxingScene. A separate report from Dan Rafael pointed to passport and visa trouble on Delgado's side as well.

The Kimster's read

This is the IBF telling both camps to stop trading posts and sign a contract. The hard part is the map, not the money. Garcia has called the Riyadh trip too risky, and Biyarslanov has made clear he feels wronged, so the first side to land on a venue both can live with has the leverage. With 20 days on the clock, expect a lot of quiet phone calls.

It also matters for the 140-pound picture. The winner of Azim vs. Valenzuela on Dec. 4 is working toward the same division's IBF belt, so this one can't sit vacant forever.

Who wins if they do get it done? Make your call in Boxbid's Fight Picker.