DeGale-Bute, Alvarez-Chilemba, Beterbiev on Same Bill?

By Rick Reeno

On Tuesday, BoxingScene.com confirmed the recent rumblings in Canada, regarding a November super middleweight collision between recently crowned IBF champion James DeGale (21-1, 14KOs) and Canadian superstar Lucian Bute (32-2, 25KOs).

Later that day, we reported that a high profile light heavyweight doubleheader was also being targeted for November. That doubleheader would see Isaac Chilemba and Eleider Alvarez battle it out in a WBC final eliminator and a final IBF eliminator between Artur Beterbiev and Sullivan Barrera.

Sources with knowledge of the discussions have told BoxingScene that currently the game plan is to have all three of these fights on the same event as a huge tripleheader.

That game plan could change, as none of the three fights have been finalized.

Based on the latest word, DeGale-Bute is looking very good and appears to be close as both fighters are on board. The same could be said for Alvarez-Chilemba.

However, Beterbiev-Barrera is a totally different story. There are some legal hurdles which are preventing Barrera from being able to enter Canada. That fight is heading to a purse bid early next month. If Beterbiev's promoter wins that purse bid, both sides will still require a solution to get Barrera to Canada.

As reported, the working date is November 14th in Quebec. The Videotron Centre, which holds over 20,000, is the venue being pursued. There has been no confirmation as to which Premier Boxing Champions network is being targeted for the fight.

With October almost upon us, that November date could be changed to later point in the month - to allow the involved parties an adequate amount of time to properly promote the show.

InterBox [who handle Bute] and Yvon Michel of GYM [who handles Alvarez and Beterbiev] would come together to promote this event. Bute, DeGale, Alvarez and Beterbiev are all signed with manager/adviser Al Haymon.