Maxi Hughes is targeting a lightweight world title shot against unbeaten American, Floyd Schofield, if Gervonta Davis vacates his WBA title.
Hughes faces the fifth ranked contender with the WBA, Bakhodur Usmonov in an eliminator in Dubai on December 12, while Schofield is the number one rated contender to Davis’ belt.
Davis’ future at lightweight seemed uncertain after he agreed to an 195 pound exhibition with Jake Paul.
The clash was eventually cancelled after the 31-year-old was accused of hitting an ex-girlfriend in a civil lawsuit in Miami.
The picture could become clearer when the WBA hosts its convention later this month and Hughes admits he’s hopeful of a meeting with Schofield for the vacant title, should ‘Tank’ vacate or be stripped.
“I think the WBA need to step in and do something,” the 35-year-old southpaw told proboxing-fans.com
“They’re not earning sanctioning fees.
“They’ll obviously want a champion who’s boxing regularly.
“So I think the ideal scenario is he either gives up the belt and decides what he’s actually going to do.
“But the number one contender for the WBA is Floyd Schofield.
“If I win this eliminator, I think it makes sense for me and Schofield to get it on for the vacant world title.
“Not looking past Usmonov, but very confident I’ll go over there and get the job done on him and then hopefully I get the chance to fight for the world title.”
The Yorkshireman has won three on the bounce since successive defeats to George Kambosos Jr and William Zepeda respectively.
Usmonov, 27, is unbeaten in 11 professional bouts, but Hughes believes he is levels above the Tajikistan native.
“I’m perfectly prepared for it,” he added.
“He’s a good kid is Usmonov.
“But I believe I’m better and levels above.
“So it’s down to me to go and show that and deliver on fight night.”
Usmonov-Hughes is part of the undercard for the WBA heavyweight title showdown between Kubrat Pulev and Murat Gassiev, which headlines IBA Pro 13 at the Dubai Free Tennis Stadium on Friday, live on DAZN.
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