By Alexey Sukachev and Yuri Tarantin (Allboxing.ru)

It looks like Evgueny Gradovich (18-0, 9 KOs), one of the biggest sensations of 2013 and reigning IBF featherweight champion, will pay his obligatory dues in his next fight on May 31 in Macao, China.

The ultra-aggressive El Ruso Mexicano will most likely face IBF #3 Alexander Miskirthcian (24-2-1, 9 KOs), who won an IBF eliminator against Frenhcman Sofiane Takoucht this past January. The news was confirmed by Gradovich’s manager Egis Klimas in his recent discussion with Allboxing.ru. The Russian slugger is presently in the States, preparing for his next outing under the tutelage of Robert Garcia.

The fight will be part of the Top Rank-promoted featherweight fiesta at the Cotai Arena in the Venetian Resort, with two more world title contests for 126lb titles rounding up the main course of the event. Simpiwe Vetyeka (26-2, 16 KOs) from the RSA will defend his Super WBA and IBO belts against Filipino star Nonito Donaire (32-2, 21 KOs), while regular WBA titlist Nicolas Walters (23-0, 19 KOs) of Jamaica will put his regalia at risk versus Alejandro Perez (19-3-1, 13 KOs) from Mexico.

This will also be the third consecutive time Gradovich fights in Macao, following his spirited effort against Mauricio Javier Munoz (UD 12) in July, which he followed with a dominant stoppage of ex-titlist Billy Dib (TKO 9) in November. Miskirtchian, meanwhile, hasn’t lost since 2008 and held the EBU crown for two years before moving forward to the international boxing scene.