By Steve Kim

As the calendar has turned to the new year, it's clear that junior welterweight contender Mauricio Herrera (22-5, 7KOs) has a myriad of options awaiting him for 2016.

"They've  mentioned to me a couple of names," Herrera told BoxingScene.com on New Years Day. "Ruslan (Provodnikov) is a good name and (Lucas)Matthysse at 147, (Terence) Crawford was in February. I reviewed everything and Ruslan for me makes more sense, overall. I had a talk with Robert Diaz and Golden Boy and they agreed, they were leaning towards Provodnikov."

Herrera handed Provodnikov his first defeat back in January of 2011 in what was an entertaining fight.

Crawford, who holds the WBO 140-pound title is slated to return on February 27th in New York, as the headliner on HBO. Herrera preferred not to fight that early in the year and added,''Crawford, of course I'm the guy who's going to get robbed, I know that'll be a close fight and if it goes to decision, I know I'll get screwed again, I know for sure."

Herrera, still has very raw feelings from the decision rendered in the Jose Benavides fight back in December of 2014. Both Benavides and Crawford are promoted by Top Rank.

Stylistically, Provodnikov seems to be the best match-up.

"That's the main thing," agreed Herrera,"I don't know how that match-up would be, me and Crawford. But Ruslan is a better style for me and I need that right now. I need to get back in there and have a good fight. They saw the first one and they'll tune in for this one."

A Herrera-Provodnikov fight would be a co-promotion with Golden Boy and Banner.

Herrrera adds,"The Ruslan fight makes more sense and my view is me and Ruslan have losses that would easily go either way. They could easily be wins,"said Herrera, who last fought on July 11th at the LA Sports Arena, winning a fifth round technical decision against Hank Lundy."

We've never been knocked down, never been hurt and I think the people would enjoy that fight more and I don't care about the belts, right now.

"This is for the people's championship, me and Ruslan. That's worth more."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.