By Ben Jacobs

At 39-years-old Emiliano Marsili (32-0-1, 14 KOs) knows that now is the time to become a world champion after an undefeated career which started back in 2003.  Initially for the WBC interim title at 135lbs, now for the vacant belt according to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman while Jorge Linares is champion in recess, Marsili battles fellow undefeated boxer Dejan Zlaticanin (21-0, 14 KOs) on June 11.

“It’s a great opportunity, I really hope to win this world title and show myself in front of the world,” expressed Marsili to BoxingScene.com.

“Yes, I’m unbeaten in my career, I have been a European champion, a WBC Silver champion but hopefully this time I will really be noticed.”

Marsili, like many in the sport, has noticed the rise of Zlaticanin who impressed in his last fight in June of 2015 with a fourth round stoppage of Ivan Redkach. 

That in addition to his split decision victory over Ricky Burns in 2014 are generally considered the best wins of his career thus far.

“He’s a top fighter, a big puncher, I have to be alert at all times,” Emiliano said of the Montenegro native.

“And I will be alert, I will be very precise.  He had a great fight against Ricky Burns because before that fight nobody really knew him and he gave Burns a bit of a surprise.

“I leave for the United States this Sunday and I’ll do the final training in New York, but I’ve done most of my camp here in Italy.”

Should the Civitavecchia-based pugilist emerge as the victor, he would like to target current WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla afterwards.

“I would prefer to fight Anthony Crolla if I win this fight because I already fought in England against Derry Mathews, so it would be great to go back there.  Why not? 

“I’ve sacrificed a lot, I’m 39, I’ve been boxing for 25 years now.  It would be a great opportunity to fight a great fighter like Anthony Crolla.  Or I would also fight Terry Flanagan.  I don’t mind what the belt is, be it WBO or WBA, as long as it’s a world title fight.”

Echoing the views of other Italian fighters hoping to make a name for themselves in the sport, Marsili laments the lack of opportunity and support in his home nation.

“Time moves quickly and I’m 39 now.  In Italy there is a lack of television, advertising and publicity.  If it were the case that we had that support then it would be like in England, with boxing on Sky Television.”

The southpaw sees his win over Mathews for the IBO title as his proudest moment until now.

“My two favourite wins in my career were against Derry Mathews and Luca Giacon, but especially the Mathews win.

“The fact that Mathews did well in his career after that shows it was a good win.  It also shows that things don’t work for Italian fighters the way they do for British or Americans because I wasn’t able to kick on after that.”