Austin Williams has repeatedly said that he’s destined to become a world champion. He could get the chance to prove it in a few short months.

The IBF's No. 3-ranked middleweight is at the head of the line to face the winner of the Janibek Alimkhanuly-Erislandy Lara title unification fight on December 6 in San Antonio, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.

Williams (19-1, 13 KOs) was in position to fight IBF and WBO champ Alimkhanuly immediately but the Kazakhstani was granted permission by the IBF to face WBA titlist Lara for three of the four major sanctioning body belts.

The IBF also told Williams in writing that the winner of that fight will be required to fight him next.

“We requested purse bids for that fight,” Hearn told iFL TV when referring to Williams vs. Alimkhanuly. “They asked for an exemption to fight Lara, which was granted. The IBF has written to Ammo Williams and said, on December 7th, the winner of that fight will be ordered to fight you with no exceptions.”

Williams was supposed to have fought IBF No. 2-ranked Etinosa Oliha for the right to face Alimkhanuly on July 19. However, Oliha pulled out with an eye injury, after which Williams stopped late replacement Ivan Vazquez in nine rounds.

That victory brought Williams to the cusp of his first title shot. Now, if things go as the IBF plans, he just has to sit back and wait to see who his opponent will be,

“That’s a massive opportunity for Ammo,” Hearn said. “So, yes, Ammo Williams will fight for the unified world middleweight title in his next fight.”