VALLEY VILLAGE, Calif. — Welterweight contender Gor Yeritsyan has all of the credentials. Now he’s just waiting for the opportunity to break through.

But first, Yeritsyan (20-1, 16 KOs) must engage in another prove-it pitting Saturday when he takes on Vernon Brown (13-2-1, 9 KOs) at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California as part of 360 Promotions’ “Hollywood Fight Nights” event headlined by Callum Walsh on UFC Fight Pass.

Yeritsyan had a decorated amateur career in Armenia before moving to the United States in 2019 to train with Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach. Now armed with years-long promoter Tom Loeffler, who’s setting up his fighters to compete in TKO Group’s Zuffa Boxing division, the 30-year-old Yeritsyan is yearning to make his mark in what’s suddenly become a wide-open weight class.

"I'm at the age and stage of my career where I’m ready for tougher fights and bigger names,” Yeritsyan told The Ring after a training session at the 12 Rounds Boxing Gym, a fitness center he recently opened with lifelong friend, pro boxer, and 2016 Armenian Olympian, Narek Abgaryan.

“I’m ready to make the leap right now. The welterweight division is there for the taking, and I’m confident that I can be a new name and face for the weight class.”

The 147-pound division has been in flux ever since former undisputed champion Terence Crawford officially left the division last year. Jaron Ennis made his mark by scoring The Ring, WBA, and IBF titles, but he announced earlier this week that he’s moving up to 154 pounds.

As for the current champions, Yeritsyan’s legendary Wild Card training mate Manny Pacquiao is trying to turn the division on its head by upsetting WBC title holder Mario Barrios on July 19. While Brian Norman Jr., who Yeritsyan believes is the best in the division now that Ennis is out, just knocked out Jin Sasaki in Japan.

Following back-to-back knockout wins against Jonathan Romero and Luis Hernandez Ramos, Yeritsyan believes he’s ready for rugged fights against fellow contenders who need to separate themselves from the pack. Yeritsyan listed Alexis Rocha, Giovani Santillan, Harlem Eubank and Abel Ramos as desirable opponents next time out. He did, however, rule out the likes of Eimantas Stanionis, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, and Raul Curiel only because they’ve grown close over the years training together at Wild Card.

Rolando Romero, Ryan Garcia, and Devin Haney also campaign at 147 pounds, but Yeritsyan realizes those PPV-caliber contests are not within reach.

Instead, he sees a newfound opening to ensure his name is known.

“I’m excited that Zuffa Boxing can be a big part of my future,” said Yeritsyan. “I want to become the welterweight champion for TKO’s new boxing organization. I trust Tom Loeffler, Dana White, and the entire team to take me to where I need to go as I chase my goals in becoming a world champion.”