The undefeated Canadian contender notified the IBF before the sanctioning body’s 72-hour negotiation deadline expired, formally ruling out an elimination fight against Albert Bell. The decision removes Bahdi from the IBF’s immediate title path. His focus now shifts to a separate route that could lead to a vacant WBA title fight in the coming months.
Bahdi turns away from IBF eliminator to pursue alternate title path
Bahdi, who has amassed a record of 20 wins with 15 stoppages, has gained momentum over the past year as he positioned himself among the division’s rising contenders. His recent activity has boosted his standing with sanctioning bodies, and his team seems confident that a WBA title opportunity represents a quicker and more valuable path than entering an eliminator that would still leave him waiting for a championship fight.
The IBF will now continue its elimination process without Bahdi. Argentina’s Alan Abel Chavez is one of the next available contenders, while Bell remains in position to face yet another opponent for mandatory challenger status. Bahdi’s exit simplifies the IBF’s immediate plans and reshapes its own trajectory to a different governing body.
Attention now turns to the WBA title picture, which has remained uncertain since Gervonta Davis was named champion in recess following legal issues and inactivity. That designation left the belt without an active champion, opening the door for top contenders to pursue a fight for the vacant title. Floyd Schofield, a highly touted lightweight contender, is one of the fighters linked to that event as discussions continue about a potential title bout.
Bahdi last fought in August, when he dropped Roger Gutierrez and scored a unanimous decision win in a WBA eliminator that raised his profile within that organization. That performance helped put him near the top of the WBA rankings and solidified his eligibility for a title opportunity.
Denying an opt-out always carries risk because it removes the guaranteed route to mandatory status. Bahdi’s team is betting that his current position and momentum will lead directly to a title fight without waiting behind another sanctioning process.
