Jose Pedraza Eyes Move To 135, Showdown With Robert Easter

By Miguel Rivera

After having a meeting a few days ago, the current junior lightweight champion of the International Boxing Federation (IBF), Puerto Rico's Jose 'Sniper' Pedraza, was advised that he won't secure a unification with WBO champion Terry Flanagan of the UK.

Pedraza's team had been trying to get that fight. With Flanagan out the window, Pedraza has decided to take a few days off from training camp to lower the workload and consider who might become his future opponent.

The Puerto Rican fighter also clarified that Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba was not in their plans. He did reveal that Robert Easter Jr., who won the vacant IBF lightweight title on September 9th with a split decision over Richard Commey, aims to become their next target.

Pedraza and Easter Jr. are both undefeated. Pedraza has a record of 22-0 12KO's - while Easter Jr., a native of Toledo, Ohio, improved to 18-0 with 14KO's with his most recent win.

"We lowered the workload and took a week off because the fight is not going to happen with Flanagan. Nor will it be with Gamboa. It is poised to be with Easter Jr., who recently won the IBF lightweight title. Let's see if I can get him and I do not know much about him," said Pedraza to El Vocero.

The new game plan would have Pedraza fighting in December in the most optimistic of scenarios.

"We spent a lot of time working [in the gym] and already I could see that I was reaching the high point of the preparation, so we decided to pause things based on what happened," Pedraza said.

The boxer is advised by Al Haymon and promoted by the trio of Javier Bustillo, Lou DiBella and Gary Shaw.

Pedraza made his second defense this past April in Connecticut, when he won a unanimous decision over mandatory challenger Stephen Smith.