By Elisinio Castillo

IBF junior middleweight champion Jarrett Hurd (21-0, 15 KO) threw out the challenge and demanded a fight with WBA, IBO champion Erislandy Lara (25-2-2, 14 KO).

Now sources indicate to BoxingScene.com that Hurd is about to get exactly what he wanted as both sides are very close to a deal for an April date on Showtime.

In October, a tripleheader took place with Hurd, Lara (25-2-2, 14 KOs) and WBC champion Jermell Charlo (30-0, 15 KOs) making defenses at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Hurd became the first man to stop Austin Trout, while Lara dominated Olympian Terrell Gausha, and Charlo blew away Erickson Lubin in one round.

Lara's manager, Luis DeCubas Jr., says everything is getting wrapped up for a fight with Hurd and he's simply waiting for a concrete date.

"Yes, the fight is confirmed and we only hope to finalize some details," said DeCubas Jr. to George Ebro. "But this is what everyone and Lara himself were asking for, [for Lara to fight] a champion that comes forward without stopping. This is going to be an entertaining fight with a lot of action."

Earlier this month, Hurd explained that he was very confident of beating Lara when they step in the ring.

“Erislandy Lara’s the best at 154, and he’s saying no one else wants to fight him. Well, I wanna fight him. I’ve stopped my last seven opponents, and I know I can beat Lara, so I’d like to fight Lara, next, and to see it happen in April or May," Hurd told Premier Boxing Champions.

He also discussed how Trout was the perfect opponent to get properly prepared for a fight with Lara. The Cuban boxer holds a decision win over Trout.

“I feel like Trout was the perfect fight for me to prepare for Lara, being that it serves as the natural transition to assimilate and go from one southpaw to another,” said Hurd.