The WBC has officially ordered Lou DiBella and ARENA-CEO Ahmet Öner to start free negotiations for the welterweight world championship between Andre Berto and Selcuk Aydin. Berto won the title in June 2008 by knocking out Miguel Angel Rodriguez; Selcuk Aydin has captured the WBC Silver Championship by outscoring Ionut "Jo-Jo Dan“ Ion in Istanbul. Both fighters are unbeaten. Berto has won all of his 26 pro-fights (20 kos), Selcuk Aydin scored 20 wins in as many fights (including 15 kos).

"Andre Berto is one of the biggest names in US boxing today“, said Ahmet Öner. "He is one of the faces of HBO. This is the chance Selcuk has been waiting and fighting for. I’m sure it will be a hell of a fight.“

"I have been waiting for more than a year to face Berto“, adds Selcuk Aydin. "I want to prove that I am one of the best welterweight fighters in the world today.“

The open negotiation period for the fight ends on September 17th. If no agreement is reached it will go to purse bid at the WBC headquarters in Mexico.

One week ago Selcuk Aydin and promoter Ahmet Öner had been invited by Don King to his big show in St. Louis. Öner and King agreed on co-promoting Aydin in the USA.