Paul Kamanga is yet to get past Roman Belaev, but already his next opponent has been lined up.
Kamanga fights the Russian in just over a fortnight and is then headed Stateside for his US debut in April.
As risky as it is to put the cart before the horse, so to speak, US promoter Art Pelullo has settled on a dangerous opponent for Kamanga in the form of Colombian Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez.
Rodriguez shot to prominence last year when he gave Ruslan Provodnikov a good argument on a Golden Gloves show in Monte Carlo before losing via TKO in the fourth. He had been 14-0 going in and tagged Provodnikov often enough to suggest he has good skills, being let down only by a lack of experience.
Tall and rangy, the 23-year-old Mexican turned pro at 16 and has earned a reputation for being a dangerous puncher.
Kamanga has much riding on the next few months. Defeat to Belaev will badly stall his prospects, but if he comes through unscathed he has a chance to impress the Americans, particularly with his appearance coming the day before the Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan fight in Las Vegas, which his promoter, Rodney Berman, will also attend.
“It goes without saying that this year is massive for Paul. His apprenticeship is over. It really is time to shine,” said a confident Berman.
