The 34-year-old former amateur standout dug deep and utilised his experience to score a 12th-round stoppage of Bakhodur Usmonov on April 24, becoming the IBF's No. 2-ranked fighter.

"My fight against Usmonov was quite difficult," Subkhankulov (12-0, 6 KOs) told The Ring. "In training camp I suffered a cut on my eyebrow on the very first day of sparring, which then re-opened during the next session.

"Usmonov was a confident mover but I could feel I was wearing him down and my pressure was overwhelming him. I knew it was a matter of time [before the finish], it was my best moment in professional boxing to date."

Subkhankulov dropped his opponent four times before scoring a final round finish. He enjoyed some time off afterwards, heading for the seaside and taking an emotional and physical reset, before returning to training with a November return eyed.

His co-promoter Pete Maniatis hoped to snare a top-quality opponent but to no avail at present.

"After the Usmonov bout the IBF offered Artur Subkhankulov the chance to fight for the mandatory spot," he said. "That fight was to happen in Ufa, Russia in November but after the top-four IBF opponents declined the opportunity, it's put us in a position now to wait and hopefully go into a world title soon."

Reigning IBF beltholder Raymond Muratalla successfully defended his crown against Robson Conceicao on August 1, though the performance didn't impress Subkhankulov.

"I didn't particularly like the fight between Muratalla and Conceicao," he said. "It was more like sparring, without any intrigue."

In the aftermath, it has been suggested that Muratalla might vacate his title and move up to junior welterweight.

"I'm ready to fight, whether it's Muratalla or the vacant title doesn't make much difference to me," he said.

"My dream from when I was a boy was always to fight for a world title and I'm very close now to achieving my dream. I will control what I can, to focus on my training, diet and train 100 percent every day and be ready for a world title fight."

Maniatis was also quick to reiterate his fighter will fight anyone and is on the precipice of a world title shot.

"The next fight for Artur hopefully is an IBF world title," said Maniatis. "Artur lives and breathes boxing, it's his whole life, he has a great team.

"If Muratalla stays at lightweight, Artur is ready to fight him, but Muratalla has already stated he's moving up to 140 pounds, so it looks like Artur will be in one corner for a vacant title."