Esparza-Alaniz: WBO Issues 48-Hour Status Update Deadline For Flyweight Championship Rematch

Marlen Esparza and Gabriela Alaniz are both on the clock with the WBO.

BoxingScene.com has confirmed that the WBO is prepared to send an ordered Esparza-Alaniz rematch to an immediate purse bid hearing. The sanctioning body has grown displeased with the lack of communication and now directly addressed both parties.

Golden Boy Promotions (Esparza) and O.R. Promotions now have until August 20 to confirm in writing where negotiations stand or even if they plan to proceed with the second fight, per a ruling obtained by Boxing Scene.

“On August 5, 2023, this Committee issued a “Resolution” whereby the parties herein were ordered the

commence of negotiations pursuant to the terms and conditions contained in the foregoing ruling,” WBO Championship Committee chairman Luis Batista-Salas stated to both promoters. “The parties were granted 20 days to reach an agreement or purse bid proceedings would be conducted according to WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.

“At present, neither party has informed the WBO in writing whether negotiations, if any, are ongoing and the status thereof. Therefore, considering these circumstances, this Committee hereby grants the parties 48 hours upon issuance of this notice to inform the WBO of the status of the negotiations. Failure to comply with this provision will result in this Committee ordering purse bid proceedings on Thursday, August 24, 2023.”

The minimum acceptable bid is $25,000 for the multi-belt unified title fight.

A second fight was ordered by the WBO upon review of their July 8 unification bout which saw Houston’s Esparza (12-1, 1KO) score an unpopular ten-round, majority decision over Argentina’s Alaniz (14-1, 6KOs).

The lineal, WBC, WBA and WBO flyweight championship unification bout—which aired on DAZN from AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas—saw Esparza win by margins of 97-93 and 99-91 on the cards of Nelson Lopez and Javier Alvarez, respectively. Both cards were widely criticized, whereas the scoring of judge Lisa Giampa (95-95) seemed to be more in line with those in press row, fans in attendance and viewers watching on the streaming service.

Alaniz’ team—headed by promoter Georgina Rivero—immediately submitted a formal written complaint to the WBO on the basis that “the scores had the impression of favoring the local fighter (Esparza); the referee allowed multiple and constant headbutts and elbows from Esparza; Esparza was warned on more than 6 occasions but no actions were taken against the latter, and the later rounds were clearly rounds in favor of Alaniz but scored in favor of Esparza.”

An independent review by the sanctioning body concluded there exists the grounds to run it back.

Esparza was granted a 14-day period to appeal the decision. Given the WBO’s most recent ruling, it is clear that the unified flyweight champion did not take such—or any—action.

The ordered rematch comes as the division’s lone remaining titlist, IBF claimant Arely Mucino, was ordered to next face unbeaten mandatory challenger Gabriela Fundora. As previously reported by Boxing Scene, the IBF has scheduled an August 29 purse bid hearing for the flyweight title fight.  

Esparza–a 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist—claimed the WBC belt in a June 2021 points win over Ibeth Zamora in El Paso, Texas. Four successful defenses have followed, including wins in unification bouts over Alaniz in July for the WBO belt and legendary five-division titlist Naoko Fujioka who lost her WBA belt to Esparza last April 9 at Alamodome in San Antonio.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox

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