Avious Griffin doesn’t want to but at this point, he has no choice but to accept the crumbs that the welterweight division is offering him.

This Thursday night, at Sony Hall in New York City, Griffin will headline a BoxingInsider Promotions club show against Jose Luis Sanchez. If Griffin is who he says he is, then picking up the win won’t be the most difficult thing in the world. The difficulties ultimately reside in the matchmaking process.

Eventually, the sport of boxing throws every fighter a bone. Meaning, that even with tenuous opposition, Griffin (16-0, 15 KOs) could still fight for a world title in due time. That sounds like good news, doesn’t it? Well, not to Griffin. If he were able to fight one of the welterweight divisions champions sooner rather than later, he would be a happy man but it doesn’t mean he would be a prepared one.

“I need a big name. I don’t know where Yordenis Ugas been hiding at. I need one of those types of names before we jump in there in a championship fight.”

It’s been a while since Ugas has been spotted out and about. After beating Manny Pacquiao in 2021 to become a world champion, Ugas immediately lost his title to Errol Spence Jr. in 2022. Fast forward a year and a half later, he would come short once again, this time to Mario Barrios in 2023.

The Cuban-born fighter is now out of sight and out of mind but Griffin still remembers him. In totality, Ugas doesn’t appear to be the fighter he once was but he never officially announced any sort of retirement. Until he formally says that he’s done with the sport, Griffin is still hoping to get his hands on him.

“He got a good resume. I would love to have him under my belt.”