According to to 7 News, Jeff Horn (17-0-1, 11 KOs) is now in formal negotiations to fight 28-year-old two-division champion Jessie Vargas in Brisbane.
Vargas is Horn's first choice to replace Manny Pacquiao, who recently pulled out of the proposed November 12 bout. The pair are expected to agree to the fight over the next few days.
"I feel like I've got the moves to take Jessie down, he's a former world champion so he'll definitely be a hard fight," 29-year-old Horn told 7 News.
If negotiations are successful Horn will fight Vargas at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Horn's revelation means a high-profile bout with Anthony Mundine is looking extremely unlikely.
42-year-old Mundine threw his hat in the ring, but Jeff Horn's trainer Glenn Rushton is instead hopeful of securing former world champion Jessie Vargas for a November title defence before the week is out.
"Mundine is not the fight that's hot on the radar, but you've got to keep the doors open," Rushton told AAP.
"There are more suitable opponents, but we are not saying no to anything, because Jeff needs to stay active."
Mundine would at least be a crowd puller, given he is still the biggest drawcard on pay-per-view television in Australia.
"Some would love to see him lose, others would hate it," Rushton said of a fight against Mundine.
"He's still got plenty of support, but I'm not sure we're seriously considering it."
Rushton confirmed current world champions Miguel Cotto and Terence Crawford were both unavailable.
"With those guys no chance of fighting this year, like I said we are searching from the top down, and Lamont or Jessie both having held belts are both in our sights," he said.
"We'll let (Horn's promoter) Dean Lonergan talk to them and try to sort something out quickly.
"I want something locked in this week if we can."
