By Rick Reeno
A middleweight clash between Kelly Pavlik and Sergio Martinez is inching closer to a finalized deal. Pavlik, the WBC/WBO champion, will defend the titles against Martinez at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on April 17. BoxingScene.com was informed that both sides have "verbally" agreed to the financial terms. A deal is not a "done deal" until both fighters sign the contracts, but Top Rank and Lou DiBella are confident the fight will move forward. I've heard HBO has been already notified about the latest developments.
In the co-feature, undefeated IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute will defend his title against Edison Miranda. The HBO televised co-feature takes place in Canada via split-feed.
