By Rick Reeno

Junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan is wasting no time in hunting down another opportunity. Vanes has advised BoxingScene.com that he wants to replace the injured Willie Nelson, who on Monday withdrew from a scheduled middleweight fight with Matthew Macklin (29-5, 20KOs).

Macklin-Nelson was scheduled for the HBO televised date of December 7th from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The main event features a super bantamweight clash between WBA/WBO champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and top challenger Joseph Agbeko. Top Rank, who promote Vanes, is the lead promoter of the show.

This past Saturday night in Texas, Vanes (33-1-1, 21KOs) suffered his first career defeat when he dropped a twelve round split decision to Demetrius Andrade. Vanes is ready to get right back in the gym and he doesn't see it as a problem with the fight taking place at 160. Macklin is looking to rebound from a June knockout loss to WBA/IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.

"I'm ready to step in for Wille Nelson on December 7th. I'm in good shape, no injuries and I want put this loss behind me. I hope Top Rank, [my manager] Cameron Dunkin and [Macklin's promoter] Lou [DiBella] can work this out. I hope [Top Rank CEO] Bob Arum gives me another chance. This loss has made me realize something. I had a long talk with Roy Jones Jr. after my fight and he told me a lot of things that are going to help me. I want to stay busy, I want fight to ASAP and I'm ready to fight Matthew Macklin on December 7th," stated Vanes.