Dmitriy Salita knows he is taking a gamble with his world title ambitions when he fights Raul “El Torro” Munoz on Sunday.

Defeat against a 33-year-old veteran who last fought more than two years ago looks unlikely but it would wreck the unbeaten light-welterweight’s dreams after being named as No. 1 challenger to WBA world champion Andreas Kotelnik.

The 27-year-old Ukraine-born, Brooklyn-based Salita is hoping to fight the winner after Kotelnik makes a voluntary defence against British star Amir Khan, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist, at London’s 02 Arena on June 27.

“I want to be impressive against Munoz,” said Salita. “This fight is very important because a victory means that I fight for the world championship next.”

Unbeaten in 30 fights, he will start a big favourite at the Desert Arena in Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino, Nevada, against Munoz, from Kansas, who has suffered 11 defeats in his 32-fight career.