By Miguel Rivera
According to numerous sources in Thailand and Argentina, a welterweight title clash between Lucas Matthysse (38-4, 35 KO's) and Tewa Kiram (38-0, 28KOs) is being targeted for January 20th in California.
Last month, the World Boxing Association has received a request, from Golden Boy Promotions' head matchmaker Robert Diaz, to order a showdown between Matthysse and Kiram for the WBA "regular" welterweight title.
The reason Diaz made the request is because current WBA champion, Keith Thurman, has been out of the ring since March with injury and won't return until the first quarter of the new year - and plans to take an easier fight. Golden Boy promotes Matthysse, and their request was supported by Thai promoter Galaxy, who handle Kiram.
Matthysse (38-4, 35 KO's) is ranked third by the sanctioning body, while Kiram (38-0, 28KOs) is the number one ranked contender.
According to the reports, Golden Boy and Galaxy have reached a deal and Kiram signed a contract, which indicates the date of January 20 in California.
The previous WBA "regular" titleholder was Lamont Peterson, who vacated the title last month to challenge IBF king Errol Spence in a Showtime televised fight, also taking place on January 20.
Kiram has never fought outside of Thailand and a fight with Matthysse would be a serious step up in competition for him. Like most Thai fighters he is very active, with two fights in 2017, four in 2016 and four in 2015. But there are very few recognizable names on his entire record.
The winner would become the mandatory challenger to Thurman.
Ranked at number 2 by the WBA is Danny Garcia, who is also inactive since losing a decision to Thurman in March of this year. Garcia is still slated to return in the coming months, likely against former world champion Brandon Rios.
Matthysse has not fought since he made his welterweight debut and knocked out Emmanuel Taylor as part of the Canlelo Alvarez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. undercard back in May at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It was his first fight since getting knocked out by Viktor Postol back in October in 2015 at StunHub Center in California.