While the focus of the WBO welterweight title scene is on champion Terence Crawford and challenger Amir Khan, Egidijus Kavaliauskas is not far behind from getting a shot at the title.
Kavaliauskas' manager Egis Klimas spoke to Boxing Talk to talk about his fighter's future and whether or not that includes a shot at the WBO title down the line. But before Kavaliauskas can think about Crawford, he will have to get past his next fight against Ray Robinson on March 30 in Philadelphia. Kavaliauskas is currently ranked No. 1 in the WBO rankings at welterweight and he could be the next man in line for a title opportunity.
"He's in very good shape and he's training hard. He's very concentrated in this training camp and I've no doubt he's going to win as well. He's not the kind of guy to look too far ahead, but me as his manager it's my job, and I would really like him to get Crawford next being that we've been the WBO #1 for the last few fights and I expect the WBO to do the right thing and put him in the mandatory position to fight Mr. Crawford."
When asked if Kavaliauskas is ready for a title opportunity, Klimas simply said if he isn't ready now, then he will never be ready.
"After 300 amateur fights and 21 fights as a professional, all wins, most of them KO's and he's 30 years old he's ready. If he's not ready now when is he going to be ready? If he's not ready now he's never going to be ready," Klimas said.
As for Crawford and Khan, the two will face off in the main event of an ESPN pay-per-view event on April 20 at Madison Square Garden.