Evgeny Gradovich plots move to 122 pounds, eyes Nonito Donaire

OMAHA, Neb. - It's back to the drawing board for "The Mexican Russian" after he lost his featherweight title to Lee Selby this summer.

The first step is a return to the win column for Evgeny Gradovich, which he will seek in an eight-round stay-busy fight against journeyman Aldimar Silva on Saturday. The next stage is a move down to 122 pounds, where there are more fights to be made within Top Rank's stable.

"This time, weight was very good. I just want to try different division, all fighters (at 126) are with Al Haymon," Gradovich, 29, told Paste BN Sports following Friday's weigh-in. "That's why no one give me an opportunity for a title fight. That's why I want to try 122. It will be good fight for people. People will like this fight, so why not? I think it will be HBO maybe."

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It certainly has the makings of a good action fight, but first, manager Egis Klimas wants Gradovich (19-1-1, 9 KOs) wants to work his way down in weight gradually with a fight next year at 124 pounds. If Gradovich feels good at the weight, they'll then talk to promoter Top Rank (who also handles Donaire) about a fight for HBO."

"Of course it would be a good fight everybody would want to see, Gradvoich and Nonito Donaire," Klimas said. "Both were in 126 division now both coming down the 122 division. At one point there was talk going on about getting them in the ring at 126."

Donaire has a fight with Cesar Juarez set for Dec. 11 on truTV, a bout that could be for the WBO junior bantamweight title, with Guillermo Rigondeaux in danger of being stripped.