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Brash Broner taking on Mayweather traits, more notes - MMA - Chris Mannix - SI.com
Wladimir Klitschko-Bryant Jennings gaining steam
Unified heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is closing in on a deal to defend his titles against U.S. heavyweight prospect Bryant Jennings, multiple sources told SI.com. The targeted date is May 4.
Finalizing Klitschko-Jennings will depend on the involvement of HBO or Showtime. Klitschko (59-3) is counting on Jennings (16-0), a fast-rising prospect who blossomed into a well-known contender fighting regularly on NBC Sports Network last year, to draw the interest of one of the two top premium networks. If HBO or Showtime are interested -- a source says HBO is -- Jennings will be the opponent. If not, Klitschko will turn to Italian heavyweight Francesco Pianeta, in a broadcast that will likely be shown in the U.S. on Epix and EpixHD.com.
The date is notable because it is when pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather has announced he plans to return to the ring. However, there is a growing sense in the industry that Mayweather, who has yet to name an opponent, won't be ready to fight in May. One scenario is that one of the premium networks buys Klitschko-Jennings and makes a split site doubleheader with Saul Alvarez, who is also expected to return on May 4. In interviews, Alvarez says his opponent will be undefeated titleholder Austin Trout.
Unified heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is closing in on a deal to defend his titles against U.S. heavyweight prospect Bryant Jennings, multiple sources told SI.com. The targeted date is May 4.
Finalizing Klitschko-Jennings will depend on the involvement of HBO or Showtime. Klitschko (59-3) is counting on Jennings (16-0), a fast-rising prospect who blossomed into a well-known contender fighting regularly on NBC Sports Network last year, to draw the interest of one of the two top premium networks. If HBO or Showtime are interested -- a source says HBO is -- Jennings will be the opponent. If not, Klitschko will turn to Italian heavyweight Francesco Pianeta, in a broadcast that will likely be shown in the U.S. on Epix and EpixHD.com.
The date is notable because it is when pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather has announced he plans to return to the ring. However, there is a growing sense in the industry that Mayweather, who has yet to name an opponent, won't be ready to fight in May. One scenario is that one of the premium networks buys Klitschko-Jennings and makes a split site doubleheader with Saul Alvarez, who is also expected to return on May 4. In interviews, Alvarez says his opponent will be undefeated titleholder Austin Trout.
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