By Miguel Rivera
Angel 'Tito' Acosta will have to wait longer than he anticipated to find out the identity of his next opponent.
The 108-pound world champion of the World Boxing Organization had the impression that he would risk the belt against Ryuji Hara, but the Japanese boxer notified the members of the Championship Committee of the WBO that he would not be physically ready for the date of February 2.
"Hara has not recovered from a shoulder injury and it saddens us, because Miguel Cotto Promotions had made a financial investment in the hope of making the fight," said Juan de León, one of Acosta's coaches and advisors, to Carlos Gonzalez.
"Everything was set. First they had told us that they were ready to sign the fight and the next week they call us to say that they were injured again, and that delays Tito's plans. We have to give the date to Golden Boy Promotions although we are hopeful that Tito can fight at the end of February or the beginning of March."
For now, they will wait for the WBO Championship Committee to determine which of the boxers among the bunch ranked in the top 10 will be available for Acosta.
"We are always ready for any challenge. We can not keep delaying the fighters. Tito is always working. We want to complete 2019 with three defenses. We are looking for the opportunity, like any champion. that he can achieve his five defenses in the ring for Tito to become a solid champion," de León said.
During 2018, Puerto Rico's Acosta (19-1, 19 KO) successfully defended the 108-pound belt with knockout wins over Carlos Buitrago and then against Abraham Rodriguez.