A lot is riding on Mohammad Azzaoui's next fight on June 8, with the adopted Kiwi in line to get a shot at a world title fight against the renowned Virgil Hill if he's successful.
Azzaoui was yesterday named to fight American Galen Brown in Auckland on June8, in a boxing event described as one of the best ever seen in this country.
Monty Betham, Peter Kaiuku and Daniella Smith will also fight on June 8, along with Philadelphia's Tyrone Brunson, who it is hoped will break the world record for consecutive first round knockouts on the night. He currently has 16, three short of the record.
Although the undefeated Azzaoui will put his IBF Pan Pacific, WBF Asia/Pacific and PABA titles on the line against Brown, he's chasing an even bigger prize later in the year.
His management have already begun talks with representatives of Hill, who is WBA cruiserweight champion even though he is now 43, for a fight in Auckland in September.
If things go to plan, it will be on the undercard of an Anthony Mundine world title fight.
Mundine has approached WAAAM promoter Mick Watson to try to make it happen and Watson is looking at Vector Arena as a possible venue. Azzaoui's backer, Bruce Plested, has been pushing for it to be staged on Waiheke Island.
Hill won back his WBA cruiserweight title in January when he beat Russian Valery Brudov by unanimous decision. He has a record of 50 wins (23 KOs) and six losses.
Azzaoui is currently ranked ninth by the WBA, with a record of 20 wins (7 KOs) and two draws.
