While newly-minted IBF super lightweight champ Sergey Lipinets pursues a money fight with Adrien Broner, the sanctioning body has ordered #4 Ivan Baranchyk to face #7 Hiroki Okada to determine Lipinets’ mandatory. The two have reportedly shown a willingness to fight and their promoters have until December 6th to hash out a deal.

Baranchyk (17-0, 10 KO), cut from the same “fun but flawed” mold as Lipinets, has been a ShoBox regular for some time thanks to scoring ten knockouts in eleven fights following a pair of decisions to start his career. He appears to have hit his ceiling earlier than expected, though, going the distance in his last four.

Okada (16-0, 11 KO), who has spent the entirety of his six-year career fighting in Korakuen Hall, is currently booked to fight veteran Albert Pagara in December. No telling how this pronouncement affects that matchup.

It looks like Lipinets will get at least one fun title defense before running into the meaner portions of the 140-pound elite. I know Baranchyk vs. Lipinets would be one hell of an Eastern Bloc Party.