By Elisinio Castillo
Venezuela's Jorge Linares (38-3, 25KOs) became a three division world champion on December 30th in Tokyo, when he stopped Javier Prieto to pick up the vacant WBC lightweight championship. Linares had previously been a world champion at featherweight and super featherweight. He says the victory will motivate him to achieve bigger goals in the future.
"The truth is, I wanted this. More important here was the advice I got from the corner. From now on I have more strength and fortitude to secure more wins. I'm quite happy and not just with the result of this fight, but because all of Venezuela could watch the fight," Linares told Meridian.
The World Boxing Council has already ordered two final eliminator to determine a mandatory challenger to Linares - with No. 4 ranked Hank Lundy being ordered to face Dejan Zlaticanin, and No. 6 ranked Daniel Estrada to face No. 7 ranked Kevin Mitchell, which is already scheduled for January 31.
