The IBF notified Garcia (39-0, 30 KOs) that they will call for purse bids for a fight between Garcia and mandatory challenger Richard Commey of Ghana.  

On Aug. 13, the IBF ordered Garcia and Commey to begin negotiations. However, they couldn’t reach an agreement within the timeframe set by the IBF.

In their latest letter, the sanctioning body states: “Therefore, the IBF will call for purse bids to be held in these offices on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 at 12 noon. Bids must be submitted at 11:45 AM to be promptly opened at 12 noon.”

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Already the WBC 135-pound champion, Garcia won the IBF version last July, when he defeated incumbent Robert Easter Jr. via unanimous decision. Commey (27-2, 24 KOs) earned the mandatory slot via a sixth-round TKO over Alejandro Luna in March.

Garcia could vacate the title if his plans to compete at welterweight come to fruition. The four-division champion is currently in talks to face undefeated IBF 147-pound titlist Spence, possibly in January.

Should that fight occur, Commey would likely face Russia’s Isa Chaniev (13-1, 6 KOs), the IBF’s third-ranked contender, for the vacant title. But he’d rather face Garcia first.

“I want Mikey Garcia,” Commey told Sporting News. “I consider him the best lightweight in the world and in order to be the best, you have to beat the best. But ultimately, my goal is to be world champion, so I’m not bothered who I beat to win the belt.”

Commey fought the aforementioned Easter for the vacant IBF title in September 2016. Easter-Commey was one of the best fights that year. Commey scored a knockdown in the eighth round, but Easter rebounded with a strong 12th to eke out a split decision win.

In August 2017, Commey relocated from Ghana to New York. He is now trained by Andre Rozier, who also trains middleweights Danny Jacobs and Sergey Derevyanchenko, among others.

“I’m enjoying training in Brooklyn alongside the likes of Jacobs,” Commey said. “To be able to share a gym with world champions and all learn from each other and learn from our coach ’Dre is a blessing. I’m only getting better.”

Commey has fought twice under Rozier, beginning with the Luna TKO. In August, he stopped Yardley Cruz in two rounds.