by Mark Vester

Malcolm "Stone" Klassen will make a voluntary defense of his IBF junior lightweight title against former champ Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero in the co-feature position on August 22 on HBO. The main event, set for the Toyota Centre in Houston, Texas, features a catch-weight bout between former champions Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi.

Promoter Branco Milenkovic made the deal with Golden Boy Promotions to match Klassen against Guerrero.

"I have no doubt that Malcolm will be victorious, otherwise I would not have considered a voluntary defence against Guerrero," Milenkovic said to South African scribe Bongani Magasela. "I could have opted for an easier opponent here at home or even abroad, but trainer Nick Durandt reminded me that he does not call his fighter 'Surprise' for nothing. I obliged. A win will secure Malcolm the ticket to return to America and feature on HBO again while fighting in the big league for big money."

Klassen told Magasela that he plans to kill "The Ghost" when they step in the ring.

"My mother always warned me when growing up not to worry about ghosts. She said they are dead, so Guerrero is dead. The Stone will flatten him. Once more people will be surprised," Klassen said.

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