By Miguel Rivera

According to former IBF junior middleweight champion Carlos Molina, there are ongoing negotiations to face the newly crowned super welterweight champion of the World Boxing Organization, Liam Smith, on the 19th of December in Manchester, England.

Molina (23-6-2, 7 KO) broke an 11-month layoff on September 19 by knocking Manuel Garcia in three rounds. Now he wants to take on the young, unbeaten Smith (21-0-1, 11 KO).

Recently there was talk of Smith taking on former three division world champion Shane Mosley. Those talks fell apart over a conflict regarding the terms of a rematch clash.

The fight with Smith will depend on whether or not the WBO will approve Molina as a challenger for the title.

"They're in negotiations, everything depends on the WBO accepting me as a challenger. I am a former world champion, I hope to have no problem in that respect. Since the negotiations have become advanced and I hope this week that everything can be finalized," Molina told ESPN Deportes.

Smith knocking out John Thompson on October 10th to capture the vacant WBO belt that was stripped from Demetrius Andrade due to inactivity.

"I think Smith is a good fighter. I think Thompson showed that Smith is not an invincible fighter. He was able to land his punches and knocked [Thompson] out, but it's going to be difficult night for him. I think I have the style to be a headache and take the championship."

"I have always gone to the home of my opponents and things have gone well on a regular basis. I have no problem with that, I can go to England and I think I can take the championship."