FORMIDABLE puncher Eduardo Nunez is set to land his first world title shot after Anthony Cacace decided to vacate his IBF super-featherweight strap last week.
The 27-year-old has stopped all but one of his opponents inside the distance, with the sole blemish on his professional record arriving back in 2018.
His destructive performances have come against relatively limited opposition, however, with the Mexican securing his most notable victory against seasoned veteran Miguel Marriaga last year.
Nevertheless, mandatory challenger Nunez, 27-1 (27 KOs), is expected to face number three-ranked contender Masanori Rikiishi, 16-1 (11 KOs), for the vacant IBF crown later this year.
The Ring Magazine has reported that the pair have until March 2 to reach an agreement, before a purse bid hearing is held for their ordered contest.
Japanese southpaw Rikiishi, meanwhile, has amassed stoppage victories in his last five outings, halting sturdy operators such as Ricardo Nunez and Michael Magnesi to climb the IBF rankings.
But still, like Nunez, the 30-year-old is yet to lock horns with a bona fide world level fighter at 130lbs, though their matchup should nonetheless make for an intriguing spectacle.
With Nunez belonging to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable, too, it is likely that the pair will appear on a DAZN card should they avoid the looming IBF purse bid.
What is more, Hearn told Boxing News last week that former world featherweight titlist Raymond Ford has expressed his interest in taking on the winner.
In any case, though, both Nunez and Rikiishi should be presented with an opportunity to claim the vacant red and gold strap in the near future.
