WBO light flyweight champion Angel Acosta is ready to defend his title on an upcoming ESPN boxing card, according to a report.
According to the Gondol, Acosta appears to be set to defend his world title against Mexican fighter Abraham Rodriguez. The fight, according to a report, will take place on September 13 on a boxing card promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions and will be televised on ESPN2.
This will be Acosta?s second title defense since winning the title last year at Madison Square Garden. Acosta retained his title for the first time against Carlos Buitrago on June 16 on a boxing card that took place in Acosta?s native country of Puerto Rico.
At the moment, Acosta can make a voluntary title defense against anyone ranked in the top 15 of the WBO light flyweight rankings since mandatory challenger Ryuji Hara is out with an injury. Currently, Rodriguez has not been ranked since losing for the first time in his pro career in March, but with a fight back on July 28, a win over Jorge Hernandez, Rodriguez is likely to return to the rankings when the August rankings are unveiled, making him eligible for a title shot.
Fightful previously reported that there were possible plans to have Acosta move up in weight and fight for a flyweight world title, but that he would remain at light flyweight if he did not get a flyweight world champion. At the moment, if Acosta is victorious on September 13, then Acosta would likely defend his title against Hara at the end of the year.