Otabek Khlomatov looks in pole position to be Leigh Wood’s next opponent.
The Briton defeated Mauricio Lara to reclaim the WBA featherweight strap at the weekend with an impressive points victory, and there have been suggestions that Josh Warrington could be next.
Luis Alberto Lopez, who beat Michael Conlan at the weekend to retain his IBF belt at the same weight, is also looking to unify, but with the WBA reportedly ready to step in and enforce a mandatory next, the Uzbekistani fighter could be in line as the governing body’s No. 1-ranked contender.
While Wood mentioned Warrington and Lopez by name, he did acknowledge he might need to honour a mandatory defence, and he is also keen on a fight at the City Ground in his home city of Nottingham.
But speaking to BoxingScene.com, Khlomatov is ready for his chance.
“I don’t care that [Wood] didn’t mention my name,” he said. “It only matters that he knows he now has to fight me.
“I'm very pleased that I'm finally in the position and lined up to fight for the championship of the world. It didn't matter to me who was gonna win.”
In March, Khlomatov fought in England when he took on Thomas Ward in Newcastle, claiming the win by stoppage as his opponent’s team threw in the towel in the fifth round of the title eliminator.
“I proved already that I could go to my opponent's hometown and still knock him out,” added Khlomatov. “I'm young and this is just the beginning of my journey.”