Former featherweight titlist Billy Dib (37-3, 21 KOs) of Australia returns to action Friday against Indonesia’s Ruben Manakane (14-11-1, 9 KOs) in Melbourne in a junior lightweight bout scheduled for 12 rounds.

Dib, 29, is seeking his second win a row since moving up in weight in the wake of getting stopped in the ninth round of a world title rematch with Evgeny Gradovich in Macau in November 2013. Gradovich won a split decision against Dib in March 2013 to take his featherweight belt.

“He's only 21 years of age, so I'm expecting him to come out fast and do all he can to seize the moment,” Dib said. “I never take any of my opposition lightly and I know that Manakane stands in the way of my journey to another world championship. One step at a time."