By Hilmar Rojas

The World Championships Committee of the World Boxing Association ordered the teams behind Keith Thurman, who holds the WBA welterweight championship, and David Avanesyan, who holds the interim-crown, to begin immediate negotiations to face each other.

Thurman comes off a Fight of The Year victory over once-beaten Shawn Porter last month at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Thurman is regarded by many as a hard-punching gladiator, with no defeats on his record, and he's the black and gold title since 2015 and has successfully defended it several times.

Meanwhile, Avanesyan has earned this opportunity for a world title shot by adding important victories to his record. The first of these was against Venezuelan Charlie Navarro. Avanesyan knocked him out in the ninth round to win the interim welterweight championship and subsequently made a successful defense against former three division world champion Shane Mosley.

Thurman has a record of 27 wins and 22 knockouts. While his next opponent has won 22 fights, lost once, one draw and knocked out 11 of his opponents.

The teams of both fighters were duly informed of the decision and have 30 days to negotiate. If there is no agreement reached, the fight will be sent to a purse bid.