Undefeated Irishman John Duddy is poised for a world title challenge to IBF light-middleweight champion Verno Phillips.
Duddy, with 17 knock-outs from 25 fights, has campaigned at middleweight throughout his professional career, most recently defeating American Charlie Howe in Boston last Saturday night.
That was his first fight with new trainer Pat Burns, the former cornerman of deposed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor, who said he believed Duddy had a bigger future at 154 pounds than 160.
New York-based Irish Ropes Promotions, the Queens-based Irishman's management company, has backed Burns with its president Eddie McLoughlin this week striking a deal with Phillips' handlers Banner Promotions.
Now the 38-year-old three-time light-middleweight champion Phillips (42-10-1, 21KOs) will make Duddy, 29, his first defence since regaining the IBF belt with a split-decision defeat of Cory Spinks in March.
The fight could be in Las Vegas; New York at Madison Square Garden; or in Ireland, in Dublin or Belfast, depending on which television company carries the fight, Duddy's manager told PA Sport.
"It went so well Saturday night that he's now fighting for the championship of the world," McLoughlin said.
"He's moving down to junior middleweight and fighting Verno Phillips on or before the last day of October.
"We don't know what venue it's at as yet because we have to see what the TV companies are going to do.
"There is plenty of interest in it but they have commitments with other fights. If Showtime can't find room in their schedule we may go with Sky and they would want the fight to take place in Ireland.
"It should all be solidified in the next 10 days."
