By Mark Vester
As first reported by BoxingScene scribe Charles Jay, IBF junior welterweight champion Lovemore Ndou is in the running to land a fight with Arturo Gatti on July 23 in Atlantic City.
The IBF has cleared the way by giving Ndou permission to fight Gatti in a non-title bout at 147-pounds. Ndou told the AAC that the fight is close to a done deal. Ndou spent some time in New York a few weeks ago and began the negotations process with Gatti.
"When I went to the Malinaggi fight, I met Gatti and we shook hands and we spoke about a fight and we should do it as long as the money is right. I spoke to his manager and he thought it was a good idea and (American cable TV network) HBO is interested in the fight. It is two warriors coming together, two guys who are prepared to stand toe-toe and exchange blows, it would make a great fight," Ndou said.
"We started negotiations and it looks like it is going to happen. There's a few details we want to finalise. We had a talk with the IBF and they don't have a problem and will give me an exemption. My mandatory is due on August 4, but they will allow me to fight in July because the (Gatti) fight is scheduled for July, so I can have a non-title fight against Gatti at welterweight."
Ndou said that he was thrown plenty of offers during his short stay in America, but he considers Gatti his number one priority.
"I've met with promoter Artie Pellulo and he made me a very good offer to fight on the Ricky Hatton-Jose Luis Castillo card on June 23, which I'm looking at," Ndou said. I went to New York and watched Malinaggi fight and I had a talk with his promoter Lou Dibella and he wants Malinaggi to have a shot at my title. We've also got an offer from a South African promoter, they want me to fight (IBF 13th ranked boxer) Isaac Hlatshwayo."
"The main offer that we are looking at right know is a fight with Arturo Gatti."