The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championship Committee ordered Mexicans Featherweight Leo Santa Cruz (33-1-1, 18KO) Super champion and Abner Mares (30-2-1, 15KO) regular champion working teams to negotiate their upcoming mandatory fight.

They were given 30 negotiating period, and should they not reach an agreement, the WBA will summon a Purse bid.

The Mexican gladiators met before in 2015 in a bout considered one of the best fights of the year that ended in a majority decision to Santa Cruz, who became the WBA Featherweight super champion.

“The Earthquake” Santa Cruz, defended his belt against Kiko Martinez defeating him by TKO, later lost against Carl Frampton by Majority Decision. The close score caused a rematch on January 28, 2017 and Santa Cruz regained his 126 lbs. Super championship.

Mares won the regular WBA featherweight title on December 2016, when he defeated unanimously Argentina Jesus Cuellar, winning the right to face Santa Cruz for the second time.

The WBA continues its policy of reducing titles in every weight division.