Talks were progressing until budget issues meant a change in play, with Collazo instead defending his cadre of titles against Jesus Haro on the Barboza-Sims undercard at the Honda Center, Anaheim on Saturday.

"The more important thing is remaining active in the ring and getting the fights in," Collazo (13-0, 10 KOs) told The Ring. "I know one day that fight is gonna happen and I'm not in a rush."

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican is familiar with his new opponent but believes his best version will prove more than enough to prevail.

"I know he fought ex-champion, Wilfredo Mendez, he put up a good fight and hasn't been knocked out," he said. "He's a counterpuncher, always on the back-foot, a good intelligent fighter. He's going to give me some work.

"I'm going there to do the same work I always do. Use my good jab, my ring IQ and pressure. I know what he brings to the table already but after the first two or three rounds, I'm going to pick it up and give a good fight to boxing fans around the world."

Collazo is determined not to let the disappointment of missing out on a further unification matchup surface in his performance.

"I don't really have that in my mind," he said. "I don't see that affecting me. I know [Jerusalem is] fighting [Siya Kuse on] May 16, whoever wins that fight, I'd like them. I don't let that get me down. I see this as a job, my job is to fight, my promoter and manager keep that in mind. Whoever they put in-front of me, we're going to fight."

Team Collazo initially hoped that with a healthier DAZN budget, they could face Jerusalem sometime this summer.

Things were complicated but rather than sit and wait, Jerusalem's team decided to keep their fighter active, and as Collazo pointed out, he'll head into an immediate rematch with Kuse on May 16. That didn't surprise Collazo.

"I knew he was going to look for another fight," Collazo continued. "He was talking on social media of going up in weight, I was laughing. I know I'm going to fight Jerusalem or [IBF titlist] Pedro Taduran. We're in boxing to make money, I don't pay the bills with legacy.

"I know he's looking for that fight because I'm the money fight, he's not going to get another fight with as good money as with me. He's going to look to stay active."

When Jerusalem and Kuse fought in the Philippines on October 29, it was a close-run affair and Collazo expects the rematch in South Africa to be no different.

"I know the Kuse fight was very tight the last time," he added. "I saw it as very close and the rematch over there is probably going to a very tight fight. If everything goes good for him and he doesn't get injured, I don't have a problem fighting in June or July."

While that is probably unlikely to happen as soon as that, Collazo intends to stay in the ring and hopefully secure bigger, more meaningful fights this year.

"I'm planning at least fighting four times this year," he said. "Going up in the pound-for-pound rankings. If I get a unification, that is going to put me on the top level."

Haro (13-3, 2 KOs) meanwhile was a talented amateur before turning professional in 2020, surprisingly losing his debut with a four-round decision against Jonathan Pinedo.

The 23-year-old from California won 11 consecutive fights before losing to former WBO titlist Wilfredo Mendez (UD 12) in April 2024. Two fights later, he dropped a decision to Gustavo Perez (UD 8) but has since returned with a win.