Here is how the events unfolded.

10/20/12- McDonnell TKO-8 Darwin Zamora- final eliminator for #1 spot in the IBF's bantamweight rankings- Zamora was a late substitute for Vusi Malinga

3/23/13- Malinga UD 12 Diarh Gabutan- eliminator for #2 spot in the IBF's bantamweight rankings

5/11/13- #1 ranked McDonnell MD 12 #3 ranked Julio Ceja- McDonnell wins vacant IBF world bantamweight title; winner of McDonnell-Ceja has six months before he must defend against Malinga

Enter what appears to be a messy divorce with Hobson with 1 month left before the fight should have been made and the IBF acted.