By Andrey Krikunov

Russian bantamweight Alexander Bakhtin (25-0, 11 KOs) soon may get a shot for a title bout. The manager of the boxer, Wladimir Hryunov, awaits for the outcome of the Hozumi Hasegawa-Fernando Montiel bout on April 30, and assumes that afterwards the Japanese fighter will move up in weight, and Bakhtin will be able to challenge for the vacant WBC bantamweight belt.

Last February Bakhtin won a decision over Nick Otieno in a WBC bantamweight title eliminator. Now he holds the second position in the WBC rating following Simpiwe Vetyeka from South Africa. Hryunow sees the bout between these two boxers a definite possibility.

“I have no doubts that soon Bakhtin will fight for the title”, - said the manager to Sportbox.ru. - We wait for April 30 when the current champion Hozumi Hasegawa will meet Mexican Fernando Montiel. In case of victory, Hasegawa most likely will declare that he’s going to change the division, and then Bakhtin gets the right to fight for the vacant belt with Simpiwe Vetyeka. This meeting may take place at the end of May-beginning of July. If the events unfold in other way, Bakhtin and Vetyeka will fight for the “silver WBC belt” which replaced the title of “interim world champion”.