BENGHAZI, Libya — This North African country will play host to a WBA Knockout Boxing show on Friday.

In the main event, Mirco Cuello will face Sergio Rios for the vacant WBA interim featherweight belt.

Cuello, rated at No. 8 by The Ring at junior featherweight, welcomes taking a step closer to his ultimate goal of becoming world champion.

"I know he's an unbeaten southpaw and has come here to beat me," Cuello (15-0, 12 KOs) told The Ring through his trainer Fabricio Nieva. "I am well prepared. I have been dreaming of this moment for a very long time."

Cuello-Rios, plus undercard action, will be broadcast on DAZN (2 p.m. ET/ 7 BST).

They 24-year-old Argentine, who has already fought in five different countries, will add to that list.

"I am very happy and am concentrating on this fight," he said. "I'm used to it [from the amateurs.] I like this type of experience."

While Cuello will be fighting for the interim title, he's not looking to settle for that and has all the champions in his crosshairs. He has a particular eye on the full WBA title.

"Yes, I want to first take care of this fight and then go after Nick Ball," he said. "He's world champion for a reason, but I will be prepared to fight him.

"I look at the various boxers in the weight. It is a very competitive weight category, Nick Ball or any other champion who wants to fight me."

Nieva, who was the head coach of the Argentine national amateur team for five years, has known Cuello since he was 15 and coached him at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

They initially went in their own directions after Cuello turned professional but have reunited.

"It has been great to see him develop," said Nieva. "It's like a son. You've seen grow up from a little boy, starting International competition, a medalist at the Youth Olympic games and then making it to the Olympic games. He also dreamed of doing a second Olympics but that didn't coordinate.

"He also dreamed about this, the world championship, so I am very happy to be helping him to fulfill his dream."

Rios (19-0, 7 KOs) has been a professional since 2019. All his fights have taken place in Mexico. This represents a marked step up in competition for the 24-year-old, but not before time.