By Steve Kim
In his last outing on September 22nd, welterweight hopeful Egis Kavaliauskas captured the vacant NABF welterweight title by stopping Mahonry Montes in seven rounds in Tucson, Arizona.
So what's next for 'The Mean Machine' from Lithuania?
His manager, Egis Klimas tells BoxingScene.com - "I've been told he's going to be back in the ring in February, probably defending his NABF title at that point. Then we're looking to push him very strong in 2018."
Kavaliauskas (18-0, 15 KO's), who is promoted by Top Rank, has been biding him time but hopes to have a banner 2018.
"I think he should have a title shot in 2018. I strongly believe he'll have a title shot in 2018 because he's already been a pro a long time,'' said Klimas. "He's had eighteen fights, I think it's time for him to fight for the title and I think he's ready."
Currently Kavaliauskas is rated fourth by the WBO and despite having the NABF title is not rated in the top fifteen by the WBC.
He stated in a recent interview that he was very focused on landing a world title shot opportunity.
"I do get real mean the moment I leave the locker room, walk up the ring steps and get onto the canvas. And this is going to a big year for me. I am getting closer to my goal, a world title fight," Kavaliauskas said.
He turned pro in 2013 and has averaged at least three of more fights per year since then. In 2015, however, he had only had two outings due to injuries, but made up for that lack of activity by staying very busy in 2016 with four fights and added another three wins, by knockout, in 2017.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
