Middleweight champion Jermain Taylor has vacated the IBF title to pave the way for a rematch with Bernard Hopkins.
The American took a shock points win over compatriot and long-time holder Hopkins in July to claim all four major belts - IBF, WBC, WBA and WBO.
But now Taylor is shunning a mandatory IBF defence in favour of a lucrative return against Hopkins on 3 December.
Number two contender Kingsley Ikeke could now contest the vacant IBF title against a contender to be named.
Sam Soliman, the IBF's top-ranked challenger, has already signed up to face Winky Wright in December.