Shohjahon Ergashev, who is ranked No. 8 by The Ring at 140 pounds, is waiting for his chance to fight for a world title. Promoter Dmitriy Salita thinks Ergashev is ready for that opportunity now.
Ergashev is looking to fight later this year, but a world title fight is the priority for him.
The 30-year-old Ergashev (23-0, 20 KOs) is coming off a fifth-round knockout victory over the once-lost Angel Martinez Hernandez of Mexico on August 10. He has now won six of his last seven fights by knockout.
Promoter Dmitriy Salita is hopeful that this will be Ergashev’s next fight.
“(It) all depends on what (Ring magazine junior welterweight champion) Josh Taylor does,” Salita told The Ring in a recent interview. “(I) will work for Ergashev to fight in a world title elimination fight.
A world title elimination fight would be the only realistic way for Ergashev to earn a chance to fight for a world title. Ergashev, 30, is ranked No. 4 by the IBF, which Taylor still holds despite vacating the WBC and WBA world title belts in recent months.
Ergashev should be familiar to boxing fans as he has appeared on several ShoBox broadcasts. In his last appearance on the popular Showtime series, which took place in January 2020, Ergashev stopped Adrian Estrella in the first round. He also has a unanimous decision win over Mykal Fox.
Salita has been pleased with Ergashev’s progress to becoming a contender at 140 pounds.
“Ergashev was very impressive (in the victory on August 10),” Salita said. “His boxing IQ is rising and he’s growing by leaps and bounds with (trainer) SugarHill Steward.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County, California, Star newspaper. He can be contacted by email at [email protected] or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
