Macklin to fight Heiland in a title eliminator bout

After losing a close split decision to Felix Strum, then being stopped by Sergio Martinez in 11 rounds, and then getting demolished by Gennady Golovkin in 3 rounds, Matthew Macklin (30-5, 20 KOs) is theoretically knocking on the door of another world title bout, providing he can get past Jorge Sebastian Heiland (23-4-2, 11 KOs) on August 30th. The fight will take place at the National Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. The winner could be the next mandatory challenger for the WBC title belt that Miguel Cotto lifted from Sergio Martinez in June.

"It's great to have an eliminator to put me straight back in the frame for another world title fight," Macklin said. "I'm sure [Heiland] will be coming to Ireland with his own world title ambitions. It's a must win fight for me and it doesn't matter what he brings to the ring on Aug. 30, he won't be beating me."

Macklin was supposed to fight Daniel Geale on May 24th in Texas, but the entire card was scrapped when the main event between Byrant Jennings and Mike Perez was postponed. Geale will fight Gennady Golovkin this Saturday.

This will be Macklin's first fight in Ireland since 2009.

Heiland's best opponent is Sebastian Zbik, who beat Heiland via unanimous decision in 2010. Heiland hails from Argentina and has only fought outside of his home country twice, losing both times.

It's doubtful that either Macklin or especially Heiland is a big enough draw to lure Cotto, who only wants big fights, into the ring.