By Phil D. Jay

Austin Trout is close to finalizing a deal to face former WBO light-middleweight champion Sergiy Dzinziruk (37-1, 23KOs) on August 25th to be shown on HBO’s ‘Boxing after Dark’ and sees the high-profile bout as the perfect opportunity to showcase his talent.

The undefeated American southpaw has amassed an impressive 24-0 record with 14 stoppages, picking up the WBA 's "regular" 154-pound title just over a year ago and has since defended it on two occasions.

‘No Doubt’ is now on the verge of securing his biggest fight to date on a huge three-belt world title double-header with Daniel Geale and Dmirty Pirog in the fall and is already licking his lips at the prospect.

“I like the fight and I love the stage that it will take place on,” Trout told World Boxing News.

“I plan to come out with a strong statement against Dzinziruk and pray it all goes down. “

The 26 year-old had been consistently linked to a bout with mandatory and interim champion Anthony Mundine and was even willing to travel to Australia to get the fight made.

Mundine is now said to be looking at other avenues, including a possible shot at the world middleweight title and a match-up against Trout looks a distance away at this moment in time.

Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net