Anthony Olascuaga is setting his sights on a major unification bout following his emphatic return to the US ring. The reigning WBO flyweight champion stopped Juan Carlos Camacho in just two rounds last Thursday in Las Vegas, clearing his mandatory defense and paving the way for a bigger opportunity.
That opportunity, Olascuaga insists, should come against unified WBA and WBC titlist Ricardo Sandoval in an all-California showdown. “Ricardo Sandoval is American; he’s from California, like me,” Olascuaga said. “That’s a fight that I can now see happening in L.A. or somewhere in the states.”
Watch Olascuaga vs. Camacho Jr. highlights: Watch
Sandoval claimed his titles with a split-decision victory over Kenshiro Teraji in Yokohama this past July. The win not only made him a unified champion but also shifted the flyweight landscape - Teraji had previously handed Olascuaga his only professional defeat when the Los Angeles native stepped in on short notice for a 108lb title fight in 2023.
Since that loss, Olascuaga has put together five straight wins, including his recent demolition of Camacho. The victory marked his first US appearance since 2022, following a string of fights in Japan, and showcased his growth since the Teraji setback.
While Sandoval’s first defense has yet to be finalized, speculation of a Teraji rematch lingers. But with Olascuaga eager and momentum on his side, a unification between the two Californians could emerge as the most compelling option for the flyweight division.
Image Credit: The Ring