International Boxing Federation mini flyweight champion Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia will celebrate his 34th birthday on December 23 with a title defense fight against Benjie Sorola of the Philippines at the Bung Karno Tennis Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

"It's purely a coincidence. I had to delay the fight, which was initially scheduled on December 16, and I got December 23 instead, which is the same day as Rachman's birthday," promoter Suryo Guritno was quoted by The Jakarta Post newspaper as saying.

Suryo said the Merauke-born boxer would earn 500 million rupiah (US$54,794) for the bout at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium in Central Jakarta, while his opponent will get 7,500 dollars.

The bout is optional for Rachman, since he floored Omar Soto of Mexico in the sixth round of his mandatory title defense on May 6 here.

The victory also earned him the Satya Lencana Wira Karya distinguished service medal from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Sorola is now ranked 14th in the IBF. Rachman narrowly defeated him on points in a fight sponsored by private television station RCTI in 2002.