By Elisinio Castillo
Former champion Jonathan Victor Barros (36-4-1, 20KOs) is going to push for a shot at IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich (18-0, 9KOs).
Barros, who previously held the WBA's title at 126, is now the IBF's Latino champion at the weight. He defends that title against Sergio Javier Escobar on January 31 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Gradovich's stablemate, Mikey Garcia, knocked out Barros in 2012. Since the loss, Barros picked up two victories in 2013 by knockout.
"My manager spoke with promoter Osvaldo Rivero and he said he we will pursue an opportunity at the world featherweight title of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) in the second half of the year. I will schedule a couple of fights during these months, and if I win - I'll challenge the Russian Evgeny Gradovich. I am training a full speed, working despite the heat, but I'm very motivated because I want to recover what's mine, I want to be champion," Barros said.