The World Boxing Association Championship Committee ordered Featherweight titleholder Leo Santa Cruz (33-1-1, 18KO) and Abner Mares (30-2-1, 15KO) ,the regular champion working teams to negotiate their upcoming mandatory fight.
They were given 30 day to reach an agreement or the fight goes to purse bid.
Mares won the regular WBA featherweight title on December 2016, when he defeated Jesus Cuellar, winning the right to face Santa Cruz for the second time.