By Reynaldo Sanchez

Joan "Little Tyson" Guzman 33-0-1 (20 KO's) was recently awarded the right to obtain a mandatory shot at the WBA super lightweight world title. Promoter Henry Rivalta quickly began serious negotiations with Vlad Hyrunov, the manager of the undefeated Russian Khabib Allakhverdiev 17-0 (8 KO's) - to match the two boxers in a showdown for the vacant WBA world title that Argentinian Marcos Maidana vacated. As indicated by Guzman's camp, conversations are very positive to stage the fight before the end of 2012.

Henry Rivalta, Guzman promoter, is completely confident that Joan will face Allakhverdiev.

“We can say that we very close to announcing the date and venue for this fight. For the time being I can confirm that the conversations between the two camps indicate that this bout is headed in the right direction,” Rivalta said

Joan Guzman assures us he is prepared to face and defeat the best in his weight class, and has shown in the past that he possesses the skills to defeat any of the best boxers within his class.  Guzman has made weight in his last three fights, and the Dominican is conscientious that this is his moment to collect his third world title.  

“We know about the quality of these Russian fighters. We know they are brave, strong and very determined. Nevertheless, I am sure that Joan Guzman is the best boxer at 140-pounds,” Rivalta said.