The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has ordered the camps of Mexican Angel Ayala and Filipino Dave Apolinario to start negotiations for a fight for the vacant flyweight throne.
The two sides have until the last week of April to reach an agreement and failure to do so will result to a purse bid.
Promotes by JC Mananquil of SanMan Boxing and managed by Pampanga businessman Mike Pelayo, Apolinario is coming off two victories on Japanese soil.
But it will be Ohashi Promotions that will carry the cudgels for the Filipino southpaw in the negotiating table.
Armed with a 20-0 win-loss card, Apolinario had to get off the canvas to knock Tanes Ongjunta of Thailand last 22 February at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Ayala has a 17-0 slate with seven knockouts and has fought exclusively in his native Mexico.
The IBF declared the 112-lb vacant after American Jesse Rodriguez decided to challenge for the super-flyweight title of Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico in June.
Apolinario signed a promotional pact with Ohashi Promotions last year, making him a talent of the same promotional outfit that handles undisputed world super-bantamweight king Naoya Inoue.
Born and raised in Sarangani province, Apolinario, 25, has also fought in South Africa.
Ayala and Apolinario are the leading contenders in the IBF flyweight roster.
