By Gav Duthie: 25 year old lightweight contender Terry Flanagan 27-0 (10) is targeting a title shot in the near future. Despite winning a highly competitive UK prizefighter (beating Derry Matthews and Gary Sykes) and a victory over ex world champion Nate Campbell he has went somewhat under the radar.
WBO Lightweight Title
Since signing with Frank Warren, Flanagan has won the British and European title and now his promoter is looking to get him in at world level. Current WBO champion Terrence Crawford decision to relinquish his title to pursue a career at 140lbs (fights Thomas Dulorne in April) provides a vacancy. The latest rankings with the WBO have Flanagan in at #7 but seeing as he defeated #5 and WBO European Champion Stephen Ormond recently he should take his place at least.
Warren thinks the fight for the vacant title could be against either Juan Diaz 40-4 (19) or Takahiro Ao 27-3-1 (12). He also thinks he can get the fight to take place in Manchester which seems a tall order.
What are the chances?
Looking at the rankings I see no reason why the fight shouldn’t take place between Diaz and Ao themselves as the highest ranked available contenders. Juan has enjoyed a five fight winning streak after his three year hiatus from the sport from 2010-2013. He is an ex-WBO champion and was a big name five years ago so it is quite likely he will get he nod. Diaz really hasn’t fought any top opponents since his comeback so how prepared he will be is debatable but I can’t see him turning the opportunity down. Japanese fighter Ao is also an ex two time world champion having held the WBC featherweight and WBC Super Featherweight crowns which he lost to Gamaliel Diaz in October 2012.
Frank should have some negotiation powers with the WBO as he often seems to go for that title first with his prospects. It has been a while since there were any eliminator fights at this level so it would be difficult to justify going outside the top two.
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