By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The International Boxing Federation has “tentatively” approved the super flyweight world title fight between champion Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr of Mexico and Filipino Rodel Mayol, the former World Boxing Council light flyweight champion, scheduled for Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico on September 22.

Mayol who is moving up in  weight is rated No. 13  in the IBF 115 pound roster although he is coming off an impressive ten round unanimous decision win over former WBO champion Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda at the Ynares Center last May 13.

IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard on Monday, “I just got the request (to approve the title fight) last night. I have tentatively approved it. Nothing happens until I get the signed contracts.”

Tucker told the Standard on Tuesday “ First of all, we did not order this fight. Sanchez is in an optional period. Under our Rules the Champion can fight a contender in another weight class. The Jr. Bantamweight limit is 115 pounds. The Flyweight limit is 112 pounds. That's only 3 pounds difference. we don't do this very often but it does occur.”

Mayol, the 31 year old veteran with a record of 31-5-2 with 22 knockouts has won five straight fights since losing by a twelve round unanimous decision to Mexico’s rugged Omar Nino Romero in na WBC light flyweight title fight in Mexico.

MP Promotions and Manny Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz said Mayol was returning to continue his training at the Wild Card Gym on Monday following a stint in Cuba along with trainer Nonoy Neri.

Sanchez is ten years younger than Mayol at 21 and is a southpaw with far less experience having fought only 16 times, winning 14, losing one and drawing one with 7 knockouts.

Sanchez won the title by a twelve round unanimous decision over Rodrigo Guerrero last February 11 and successfully defended his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Juan Alberto Rosas last May 19 after dropping the veteran in the opening round.

After the Guerrero fight Sanchez told maxboxing.com “It was a very hard fight. Guerrero is a boxer who has a lot of experience and I was in his division. I foyght with intelligence and countrer-attacks which gave me results and I held up to the end of the fight.”