By Ruslan Chikov

Romanian newspaper Crai Nou reports that American television network HBO is pushing for a fight between IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute and soon to be contender Kelly Pavlik. The former middleweight champion Pavlik is moving up due to his inability to make the middleweight limit in a safe manner.

Speaking with sources in Bute's camp, it's being said the network is having trouble coming up with worthy opponents for Bute next televised appearance. Most of the super middleweight fighters with any name recognition are involved in the Super Six tournament being run by HBO's network rival, Showtime.

Last month HBO placed both Bute and Pavlik in a split-feed televised doubleheader. The purpose of the doubleheader to build a Bute-Pavlik fight at the end of the year. Bute knocked out Edison Miranda but Pavlik lost a unanimous decision to Sergio Martinez in the main event. HBO still wants to make Bute-Pavlik and they are more interested now that Pavlik officially announced his move to 168-pounds.