Delgado vs Biyarslanov for vacant IBF title set for Canelo card

Unbeaten super lightweights Lindolfo Delgado and Arthur Biyarslanov will clash for the vacant IBF title on the October Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli card in Riyadh, according to ESPN KnockOut.

The belt opened up after Richardson Hitchins botched his weight cut for a planned defense against Oscar Duarte, then signed with Zuffa Boxing and moved up to welterweight. Delgado earned his shot by outlasting Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela in a final eliminator last November, a fight Bad Left Hook described as a narrow escape for the 2016 Olympian.

Biyarslanov brings unbeaten streak and Olympic pedigree

Biyarslanov, a Canadian fighter managed by Eye of the Tiger, also competed at the Rio Olympics before turning pro two years later. The 21-0 puncher has notched wins over faded names Mohamed Mimoune and Sergey Lipinets, but this marks his first world title opportunity. Delgado carries a 24-0 record with 16 stoppages into the bout.

Hitchins vacated the strap to campaign at 147 pounds under his new Zuffa deal, leaving two undefeated contenders to settle the 140-pound championship. The fight serves as the first announced undercard bout for Alvarez's postponed title defense against Mbilli, which lands in Saudi Arabia this fall.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — Lindolfo Delgado vs Arthur Biyarslanov vacant title fight joins Canelo vs Mbilli