By Steve Kim
WBC lightweight titlist Jorge Linares (40-3, 27KOs) is looking forward to an impactful 2016, after defeating the likes of Kevin Mitchell and Ivan Cano earlier this year.
"We just got the notification that the mandatory is due, we're looking into that,"said Robert Diaz, Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker, who works closely with the Venezuelan stylist.
The top ranked contender with the WBC is Dejan Zlaticanin. Diaz mentioned that a purse bid for that fight has been set for December 11th, in case an agreement between the two parties can't be reached.
Linares fought Mitchell in London in what was one of the better contests of the year and other boxers from the UK are expressing interest in putting up their belts, according to Diaz.
"We've had contact from Europe and Frank Warren's office regarding a unification with Terry Flanagan (WBO), we're looking into that and Anthony Crolla who won the WBA title a couple of weeks ago on November 21st and we're looking at that, as well. But the most important now is Jorge - who I met with in Vegas for the pay-per-view show, Cotto-Canelo - he wants the biggest fights. Whatever we can get him."
And Diaz has someone else in mind,"I personally would love a fight with Yuriorkis Gamboa. Jorge and Gamboa would be a very, very good fight. He just said,'Robert, give me the best fights and opponents out there.'"
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
