Shakhram Giyasov’s motivation for demanding the WBA welterweight title shot he is owed next is deeply personal.

The unbeaten Uzbek contender promised his late daughter, Mariam, before she died March 19 from a rare brain condition that he would eventually become champion. Giyasov dedicated his fourth-round knockout of Franco Ocampo on April 12 to her, but the championship commitment he made to her weighs on his heart every day.

That’s why the 2016 Olympic silver medalist has no intention of accepting another step-aside offer so that WBA 147-pound champ Rolando “Rolly” Romero can take a higher-profile fight for more money. Giyasov allowed former WBA champ Eimantas Stanionis to face Jaron Ennis, then the IBF titleholder, in a championship unification clash in the main event April 12 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

It’s been an emotional seven months for Giyasov since then, though, and he doesn’t want to waste any more time.

“The championship fight is for my daughter,” Giyasov told The Ring. “I’ll give the belt to my daughter. It’s my promise. I think I can do everything for my daughter.”

The birth of their second daughter, Hadeja, three months ago helped Giyasov and his wife during the grieving process.

Training and fighting in Uzbekistan, where he stopped Russia's Mark Urvanov (25-5-2, 11 KOs) in a tune-up fight Friday, has distracted him as well. The 32-year-old Giyasov (18-0, 11 KOs) has grown frustrated, however, from hearing about Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) possibly facing Manny Pacquiao and seemingly everyone except him.

“It’s very hard because I’m the mandatory [challenger for] two years,” Giyasov said. “I’m waiting to fight, for my chance at a world title. I’ve been waiting a long time. I started my professional career in 2018. Seven years I’m waiting. Now, I’m ready for a title fight. Give me a chance.”

Eddie Hearn, Giyasov’s promoter, has pressed the WBA for an answer regarding Giyasov’s title shot. Giyasov gets the sense Romero simply doesn’t want to fight him because he wants to cash in on his huge upset of Ryan Garcia, whom Romero dropped and unanimously outpointed in the 12-round main event of The Ring’s May 2 card at Times Square in New York.

Romero and Garcia fought for the WBA’s secondary crown. North Las Vegas’ Romero was elevated to full champion once Ennis gave up his Ring, IBF and WBA belts to move up to the junior middleweight division.

“I think he’s running from me,” Giyasov said regarding Romero. “I’m ready for this fight, for all fights, for a title fight. If he’s ready, I’m always ready. I think it’s a good fight for me, for him. It’s an interesting fight for the fans. I’m coming. I show my talent, my speed. I know Romero is a powerful guy, but I’m also strong. All my life, I’m ready for a world title fight. I’m training every day. I know it’s difficult, but I can do it and know this.”

Giyasov doesn’t want to accept another tune-up bout just to keep sharp while he awaits his title shot.

“This situation is no good for me,” he said, “but I believe my chance is coming soon. I’m ready.”