By Matt Bevan
IBF bantamweight champion Lee Haskins’ manager Jamie Sanigar has confirmed to Boxing Scene that the Bristol man will return in the spring to make the first defense of his new title.
Haskins (32-3, 14 KOs) last fought in June when he stopped Ryosuke Iwasa in his home town for the IBF's interim belt and was then due to take on full champion Randy Caballero on the undercard of Miguel Cotto vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in November. However the American failed to make the weight and was stripped of the belt.
Sanigar says despite not fighting in Las Vegas, the Bristolian has benefited from the experience and they are looking at various options, both at home and abroad, for the 32-year-old.
“Lee has had a bit of time off, but he’s ready to make that first defence now. We’ll have a sit down with Mick Hennessy, who has plenty of options himself with Tyson Fury and the Nick Blackwell-Chris Eubank Jnr fight, and see where we go.
“We’ve got various options on the table, both at home and abroad, where there is obviously an added risk, but we should be able to announce something in the next couple of weeks.
“Lee has proven he is worthy of being a world champion when he beat Iwasa, so there can be no doubt as to his credibility. He was robbed of a showcase fight in Vegas, but it was a fabulous experience and he’s got a real taste for the “big-time” now from just being around such an amazing event and he wants it again.”
Although Haskins’ next opponent hasn't been announced as of yet, we do know that should he come through unscathed that his next challenger will be either former champion and domestic rival Stuart Hall, who Haskins holds a win over, or Mexican Rodrigo Guerrero, who fight in a final eliminator in Leeds on April 16.
Sanigar has also put an end to any talk of Liverpool’s European champion Ryan Farrag being in the opposite corner to Haskins, adding that if there was going to be a domestic clash, they would definitely prefer a unification with another of the Bristol man’s former victims Jamie McDonnell, who holds the WBA strap.
“Lee hasn't fought since June, so it’s important for him to be out soon ahead of Hall’s fight with Guerrero in April, as the winner will meet Lee. It doesn't matter who Lee fights on that list of 15 the IBF have, as there is no one that jumps out at you.
“There aren't any marquee names and we’re absolutely convinced Lee beats them all, but he won’t shirk anyone put forward. It won’t be Ryan Farrag though, as he isn't on our radar at the moment. They fought in Prizefighter a while back, so you can’t take much from it and it doesn't generate enough of a rivalry yet.
“If we were pursuing a domestic clash, it would always be the unification with McDonnell, as it’s the better fight and a big rivalry. Ryan isn't there yet and Lee is only after the bigger names at bantamweight at the moment.”
Matt Bevan is part of Boxing Scene's UK team .Follow him on Twitter @MBevs68
