The IBF today sent a letter to Sauerland Event, promoter of IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham, advising them that negotiations should start immediately for a fight between Abraham and mandatory challenger Giovanni Lorenzo (27-1, 19 KOs). Rumors are swirling that Abraham, who defended his title successfully on Saturday night against Mahir Oral, will move up in weight class. In that case, the IBF would order Lorenzo, the #1 contender, to fight Sebastian Sylvester, an Abraham stablemate who earned the #2 IBF ranking when he soundly defeated Lajuan Simon on Saturday night, Fightnews.com reported.
“I’ll fight either one,” the low key Lorenzo stated. “If Abraham won’t fight me, I’ll knock out Sylvester to win the title instead. I’ll fight either one of them right in Germany if I have to. Now it’s my turn and I’m going to come home with the title. I’m just waiting for them to tell me the date.”
“I’m already training and I want my chance at the title,” Lorenzo said from his home in the Dominican Republic. “I am tired of waiting in line. Tell Abraham’s people to get on the phone and start the negotiation.”
