WBC Lightweight champion Jorge Linares will face mandatory challenger Dejan Zlaticanin after a deal was agreed with the Montenegrin’s promoter, Lou DiBella.
Linares, who is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Teiken Boxing accepted Lou DiBella’s offer thus avoiding the fight going to purse bids.
Talking to ESPN, DiBella said: “It was a good offer, a fair offer. I didn’t nickel-and-dime them. Showtime is glad to have the fight. It’s going to be a firefight. It’s an excellent fight. Linares is all action and a skilled fighter, and Zlaticanin is a beast. I’d be very surprised if this one went the distance.”
Zlaticanin earned his mandatory position in June with an impressive win against Ivan Redkach, stopping the Ukrainian in the fourth round.
DiBella told ESPN.com that Showtime is happy to show the fight, with HBO not showing must interest and backing into the bout. Stephen Epinoza, head of Showtime Sports, likes the lightweight contest DiBella stated:
“Stephen [Espinoza, who runs Showtime Sports] loves the fight and has wanted it since I first contacted him about it,” DiBella said to ESPN. “Showtime is committed to doing the fight and now we’ll work out the details of when and where and what kind of card the fight will be on.”
Linares had a successful 2014, defending his WBC title twice. In May he travelled to London to face Kevin Mitchell and beat the East London man in an exhilarating contest – eventually defeating the brave Mitchell in the 10th round.
In September, he fought in his home country of Venezuela against Ivan Cano. Linares returned back to Venezuala after a five years fighting away and put away his opponent in four rounds.
– Oun Abbas Hussain / @ouney86
– Managing Editor for Behind the Gloves.
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