By Igor Lazorin, tass

There are already discussions to hold a showdown in 2018, between WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and once-beaten Sullivan Barrera.

Barrera still needs to do his part, and defeat Felix Valera on November 25 at New York's Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The victory over Valera will establish Barrera as the mandatory challenger to Bivol's world title.

Barrera is promoted by Kathy Duva of Main Events, who also work closely with Bivol and his promoter, Russia-based World of Boxing.

"We are negotiating. If Barrera defeats Felix Valera, he will become the official challenger for the title of Bivol," Duva said.

This past Saturday night in Monte Carlo, Bivol made his HBO televised debut with a first round destruction of Australian contender Trent Broadhurst to retain the WBA title for the first time.

The only defeated on Barrera's record has come at the hands of former division king Andre Ward, who announced his retirement from the sport a few months ago. Barrera has managed to reclaim his top position three big wins in a row - including his recent decision win over the dangerous Joe Smith Jr. - who suffered a broken jaw in the fight.

Bivol held the WBA's interim title. The full champion was Badou Jack, who captured the title in August with a demolition of Nathan Cleverly. Jack became the full champion because the WBA's "super" champion Ward had retired from the sport.

After the World Boxing Association ordered Jack to face Bivol in a mandatory bout, Jack vacated his title to pursue other more lucrative fights. The sanctioning body then made Bivol the full champion at the weight.

On the record of the 26 year old Bivol, there are 12 wins (10 by knockout) and no defeats. As far as the assets of the 35 year old Barrera, 20 wins (14 by KO) and one defeat.