Mexican middleweight contender Juan Macias Montiel is looking for much bigger opportunities in the new year.

This past December, Montiel sensationally knocked out James Kirkland in the first round in Los Angeles.

Montiel is now gunning to secure a world title shot at WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo.

Charlo, a native of Texas, has a perfect record of 31 wins and 22 knockouts.

The tough Mexican has already started training hard at the gym of his grandfather, Don Kochul Montiel.

“Me and my team, we would like Charlo, that is what we would like, that opportunity. I know it is a tough fight, I know Charlo's level, but we are ready for that... that's what I want for myself and we desire that fight. I rested for only one week, they gave me two weeks but I could not stay away and I came to the gym," Montiel said to Armando Baldenebro.

Montiel, who is promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz and trained by the Montiel family in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, indicated that he envisions a great 2021.

He was advised of a possibility of entering the ring at the end of March or the beginning of April, with a probable camp that they would set up again in the United States, which paid off last year.

"Apparently a lot of good things are coming, we already got a big win in the fist round, let's wait to see what happens and maybe a title shot or something else will be presented, there are many opportunities right now. They told me that I was fighting at the end of March or beginning of April. I think my companions are going to fight in March, maybe we will take camp together. I don't have a concrete date, but with a tentative date we are going to take advantage of the camp there [in the United States]," Montiel said.

The 26-year-old has a record of 33 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws and 32 before the limit.