By Steve Kim

Alberto Machado is the new WBA super featherweight titlist after coming from behind to score a knockout of Jezreel Corrales in dramatic fashion this past weekend in Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York.

After suffering a knockdown in the fifth round and getting hurt a few other times, Machado, turned things around with a perfectly placed left hand that sent Corrales down to the canvas where he was counted out in the eighth round.

Just like that, Puerto Rico has it's latest world champion.

So will Machado (who has a record of (19-0, 16 KO's) have his first title defense on his home island, which were recently ravaged by Hurricane Maria?

"I'm looking to bring him back in March or April," said Eric Gomez, the president of Golden Boy Promotions, which handles Macahado's career along with Cotto Promotions.

"But as far as the first (title defense) being in Puerto Rico - I would love that, but it just depends on if the island is ready. A lot of the venues were damaged there."

Golden Boy had to move their upcoming ESPN show on November 16th from Puerto Rico to Cancun, Mexico because of the ongoing aftermath of the natural disaster.

As for Machado, the hard-hitting southpaw is still a diamond in the rough. But he put himself in mix as a major player at 130.

"He just won the title, he's still young and a work-in-progress. The upside is incredible on him and if Freddie (Roach) does what he does best, we're going to see a champion to reckon with," stated Gomez to BoxingScene.com.

Roach was introduced to Machado by four division world champion Miguel Cotto, who himself has been working with the Hall of Fame trainer for the last few years.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com