WBO Lightweight Champion Terry Flanagan was close to having his next title defense against Felix Verdejo secured, until a motorcycle accident left in him in bad shape and out of commission for the rest of 2016. So the question remains: Who is Flanagan fighting now?
According to Flanagan's manager, Frank Warren, the champion's next fight might come in the form of former unified lightweight champion Juan Diaz.
“Big battles still lie ahead for Terry in a division of numerous possibilities,” Warren wrote on his official site. “Dejan Zlaticanin is linked with defending his WBC title against Mikey Garcia, while IBF super featherweight champion Jose Pedraza is reported to fancy trying his hand at lightweight. Former world champion Juan Diaz is another possibility for Terry and we are talking with Bob Arum over a potential November date.”
Diaz retired from the sport in 2011, but returned in 2013. While Diaz is currently unranked by the WBO, he is currently on a 7-fight win streak, last defeating Cesar Vazquez by TKO in early August.
Both fighters seem to be open to the idea of a fight. Diaz tweeted "Staying ready for whatever!" while mentioning Flanagan. Flanagan responded and challenged Diaz to "Come and get it." Flanagan's last fight was a win via unanimous decision against Mzonke Fana back in July.
Flanagan's goal is to unify all the lightweight titles, but the other titles are currently preoccupied with other fights. WBA Champion Anthony Crolla will face Jorge Linares in Manchester later in September. Mikey Garcia, according to Warren, looks to be focusing on Zlaticanin’s WBC strap and the IBF belt is currently sitting on a shelf waiting to be picked up by either Robert Easter Jr or Richard Commey on the Daniel Jacobs vs. Sergio Mora undercard on September 9.
