IBF Orders Lindolfo Delgado-Arthur Biyarslanov Fight For Vacant 140 Title

Richardson Hitchins’ move to welterweight opened the door for two unbeaten contenders to fight for the vacant super lightweight belt

The IBF has moved quickly to fill the vacant super lightweight title after Richardson Hitchins left the division for welterweight. Unbeaten contenders Lindolfo Delgado and Arthur Biyarslanov are now set to fight for the 140-pound belt following confirmation at the IBF convention in Vietnam.

Hitchins vacated the IBF super lightweight title last month after signing with Zuffa Boxing and announcing plans to move up to welterweight. The Brooklyn native won the belt from Liam Paro in December 2024 and made one defense, stopping George Kambosos Jr. before stepping away from the division.

At the IBF’s annual convention in Vietnam, the sanctioning body confirmed that Delgado (24-0, 16 KOs) will face Biyarslanov (21-0, 17 KOs) for the vacant 140-pound title.

Delgado had already been lined up as Hitchins’ mandatory challenger earlier this year after Hitchins withdrew from a planned defense against Oscar Duarte. The unbeaten Mexican is coming off a split decision win over Gabriel Valenzuela and had been left waiting for the title shot after the IBF ordered the fight in February.

Biyarslanov enters with momentum and activity on his side. The Canadian-Russian southpaw has defended the NABF title five times since winning it in 2024, including victories over former champions Mohamed Mimoune and Sergey Lipinets. ‘The Wolf’ Biyarslanov has built a reputation as one of the avoided fighters in the division, stopping 17 of his 21 opponents since turning pro.

The matchup only came together after several higher-ranked fighters passed on the opportunity. Oscar Duarte and Keyshawn Davis were both ahead of Biyarslanov in the rankings, but neither moved forward with the fight after competing earlier this month.

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