Junior welterweights Ivan Baranchyk (17-0, 10 KOs), 24, a Russia native fighting out of Miami, Oklahoma, and Hiroki Okada (16-0, 11 KOs), 27, of Japan, were ordered by the IBF on Monday to meet in a world title elimination bout to determine the mandatory challenger for newly crowned titlist Sergey Lipinets (13-0, 10 KOs), who outpointed Akihiro Kondo on Nov. 4 to win the 140-pound belt vacated by then-undisputed champion Terence Crawford. According to the IBF, both fighters have indicated in writing that they are willing to participate in the eliminator. Baranchyk promoter Lou DiBella and Okada promoter Kadoebi Promotions need to conclude negotiations by Dec. 6 or a purse bid will be ordered.
Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer
