Purposely skipping the 108-pound class, where compatriot and friend Rene Santiago (16-4, 9 KOs) is also a unified beltholder, Collazo made official his intentions to snare a Ricardo Sandoval fight. Two months later, The Ring's No. 10 pound-for-pound boxer has just that.

Collazo-Sandoval will feature as the co-main event with unbeaten contenders Floyd Schofield and Lucas Bahdi contesting the vacant WBA lightweight world championship in the headliner on October 10. The event will be streamed exclusively live worldwide on DAZN from Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

Schofield (19-0, 13 KOs) was naturally bullish as he ends a 16-month absence for a career-best opportunity.

"I've worked my whole life for an opportunity like this, one fight away from accomplishing my dream of becoming a world champion. I know Lucas Bahdi is coming to fight and will bring his best, but am prepared for whatever he brings. It's time to show the world I belong at the top of the lightweight division," he said in a press release.

Canada's Bahdi (20-0, 15 KOs) meanwhile was quoted as saying: "I've been waiting to fight for a world title since the first time I laced up a pair of gloves. I'm extremely appreciative of this opportunity and can't wait."

Collazo spoke of his gratitude and acknowledged the "massive opportunity" ahead.

"I am grateful to Miguel Cotto Promotions and Golden Boy for giving me this massive opportunity to move up in weight for a great fight and make history for Puerto Rican boxing by facing another unified champion. Sandoval is a challenge that motivates me and my team."

Collazo (15-0, 12 KOs) blasted beyond short-notice opponent Neider Valdez in two rounds June 20 in Oceanside, California before reaffirming a desire to be tested against the world's best. That victory marked the southpaw's fifth straight stoppage, with other divisional champions Pedro Taduran (IBF) and Siyakholwa Kuse (WBC) in sight.

Ryusei Matsumoto (8-0, 4 KOs) will face Russell Acosta (17-0, 6 KOs) for the interim WBO title on September 27, the sanctioning body confirmed on social media Thursday. The winner, slated as part of the Takuma Inoue-Tenshin Nasukawa II undercard in Tokyo, Japan will be elevated as soon as Collazo-Sandoval begins two weeks later.

"I'm also motivated to make all of this possible; I was looking to make history and prove that there are no limits when you know what you're capable of. This isn't just for me—this is for Puerto Rico, to raise the level. I know how far I can go, and this fight is going to catapult my career to even bigger things," Collazo added in the same release.

Oscar De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions represents both, deemed a potential matchup "the biggest, best fight out there for both guys." 27-year-old Sandoval was originally slated to defend his WBA and WBC flyweight crowns against Galal Yafai June 6 in Sheffield, England before the Olympic champion withdrew through injury.

He'll be ending a 17-month layoff but didn't seem deterred by the size of the task at hand against an in-form fighter with big ambitions to continue his exploits among fresh, more dangerous opposition.

"Mexico vs. Puerto Rico always brings out the best in both fighters, and I know this is going to be a great fight for the fans. I've been putting in the work in the gym, feeling focused, strong and ready to defend what's mine," Sandoval said.