Jose Salas Reyes and Landile Ngxeke enter negotiations for IBF Bantamweight showdown

The post-Nakatani era of bantamweight boxing is underway

Following Junto Nakatani’s (31-0, 24 KO’s)  move to super bantamweight, with the singular goal of dethroning Naoya Inoue (31-0, 27 KO’s) and ending his incredible reign over the division, the Japanese star's world titles are finally being put back on the line. 

Tenshin Nasukawa (7-0, 2 KO’s) is set to take on Takuma Inoue (20-2, 5 KO’s) for his now vacant WBC strap, and his IBF strap will also be given a new home in the near future. 

It has now been reported that Jose Salas Reyes (16-0, 10 KO’s) and Landile Ngxeke (16-1-1, 8 KO’s) have begun negotiations over a clash for the now vacant belt.

“Please be advised that the IBF Bantamweight title is vacant,” IBF Champions Chairman George Martinez revealed in a statement.

“Jose Salas Reyes, rated #3, and #5 rated Landile Ngxeke are the two highest-ranked available contenders in the IBF Bantamweight division.

“The IBF is ordering a championship bout between these two contenders to determine the new IBF Bantamweight Champion.”

Salas was originally meant to challenge for the belt in May, but the opportunity fell by the wayside when the then-champion, Ryosuke Nishida, mounted an unsuccessful unification attempt against Nakatani.

Both men are unknown quantities in the bantamweight world, with resumes light on big-name foes; regardless, they have still built up impressive records, with Salas undefeated, and Ngxeke on a seven-fight win streak following a lone defeat in 2022.

They now have an opportunity to showcase their talent to the world, with the fight slated to take place in either Mexico, Japan or the U.S.

Despite neither man having Japanese heritage, the country has long asserted its dominance over the lighter division, and the event will likely serve as an ‘open day’ for Japan’s finest to size up the competition.