Abass Baraou wants to mark his elevation to the status of WBA junior-middleweight champion by agreeing terms on a new promotional contract and for his next fight.
The German’s victory in August over Yoennis Tellez was followed earlier in September by his being made champion in perhaps the world’s most competitive weight division.
Wasserman Boxing, his long-term promoters, announced the news via social media on Sunday and told BoxingScene that they share Baraou’s priorities. Incidentally their British fellow junior middleweight Josh Kelly – a contest between he and Baraou would naturally be straightforward to make – is expected to challenge the IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev in December.
“I would love to get into the ring before the end of the year – a title defence,” the 30-year-old Baraou told BoxingScene. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m getting myself ready right now – getting in touch with my coaches, and also rearranging my promotional deal, because my last fight was the last one [of my previous deal] with Wasserman. We’re in talks to re-sign, or see what’s out there.
“That’s what I want now. I’ll be saying that [regarding a fight to Wasserman] and then we’re looking forward to it and trying to make it happen. Maybe that’s also part of re-signing – I don’t know. But I know that we’re also at the end of the year and it’s a big request I have. If not end of the year, then early next year too.
“Either I do a title defence or I go for a unification. Xander Zayas [the WBO champion] came into the ring, chasing that title – either straight away, or next year [we could fight]. There’s a lot of options for me now. I want to go to the top fights right away. Any good fight could be next.”
