By Rick Reeno

Sources close to the situation have advised BoxingScene.com that HBO is heavily leaning on the team of Paul Williams (39-1, 27KOs) to have a rematch with WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (45-2, 24KOs) on October 2. I've been told the only other opponent HBO is willing to entertain for Williams, is a fight with undefeated WBO 154-pounds champion Sergei Dzinziruk (37-0, 23KOs).

In anticipation of a possible October fight, BoxingScene was told Martinez has already begun training in Oxnard, California. Williams won a close majority decision over Martinez last December in a "fight of the year" candidate. Dzinziruk's co-promoter Gary Shaw is waiting to see how the Williams-Martinez situation plays out.

"I've always said, if they can't make a fight between Martinez and Williams, then Sergei Dzinziruk, and Alfredo Angulo, are ready to step in against either guy," Shaw told BoxingScene.com.