Puerto Rican two-belt titleholder Oscar Collazo has a scheduled fight in his homeland in February and his opponent could very well be either Pedro Taduran or Melvin Jerusalem.
“Yeah, that’s the fights I want at the beginning of the year with a huge bang,” Collazo told The Ring magazine’s online edition a few days ago.
Taduran holds the International Boxing Federation crown while Jerusalem has the World Boxing Council title.
Both are coming off defenses of their respective belts in the Philippines with Taduran repulsing compatriot Christian Balunan and Jerusalem staving off Siyakholwa Kuse of South Africa.
“I’m looking to being the first male Puerto Rican undisputed (champion). Those are the fights I have to get. Either one is fine with me,” Collazo, who reigns as World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association champion, said.
Still, Collazo admits that getting a fight done with one of the champion is easier said than done considering the complexities of negotiations.
The undefeated Collazo insists he is craving to fight on home soil once again after being compelled to bring his act to the US, Mexico and Saudi Arabia the last two-and-a-half years.
“A lot of people have been waiting for it (homecoming fight). Right now is the right time for a homecoming in Puerto Rico. A lot of people noticing me in the world of boxing.”
Last time he fought, Collazo stopped Jayson Vayson of the Philippines in Indio, California.
Despite the time difference, Collazo was up when Taduran and Jerusalem fought just four days from each other late last month.
Taduran coasted to a clear-cut victory but Jerusalem had to walk the livewire, something that had Collazo a tad worried.
In the end, Jerusalem got the job done and kept himself in the running to get the chance to avenge his loss to Collazo almost three years ago.
“These are the fights that I want; I’m training hard and the best fight the best, and we want to put the 105-pound division on notice, and these are the fights I’ve got to get to do that.”