By Jake Donovan

Unbeaten middleweight Matt Korobov has watched a slew of opponents avoid him like the plague, even with the prospects of an alphabet title at stake. Good news appears to be on the way for the 31-year old contender from Russia, as a proposed showdown with Ireland’s Andy Lee is on its way to receiving official sanctioning as a vacant title fight, with the final determination expected to be made in the next few days.

“We receive a letter from Frank Warren, the promoter in England. He requested for the (World Boxing Organization) #3 contender Andy Lee to fight (Korobov) for the middleweight title,” confirmed WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcarcel. “A decision will be made (this week), but I don't see any problem with the fight being sanctioned for the middleweight title.”

As reported earlier by BoxingScene.com UK News Editor Terence Dooley on Sunday , Lee (33-2, 23KOs) becomes the likely benefactor of the recent game of musical chairs surrounding the title fight. Korobov (24-0, 14KOs) was initially due a mandatory shot at unbeaten Peter Quillin, with both fighters to receive by far the biggest paydays of their respective careers thanks to a generous purse bid of $1.9 million from music mogul Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports.

Because of an ongoing beef with Jay-Z’s wife, award-winning music superstar Beyonce and Al Haymon – Quillin’s adviser – over a past lawsuit, Quillin was advised to vacate his title, with the promise of a big fight down the road.

From there, Billy Joe Saunders and unbeaten 154 lb. titlist Demetrius Andrade were offered the opportunity to face Korobov for the vacant title. Both fighters turned down the fight, though Saunders at least has a Nov. 29 showdown with Chris Eubank Jr. to show for his decision.

The same cannot be said for Andrade, whose co-promoter Artie Pelullo bullied his way to the front of the line in demanding his fighter receive special consideration to move up in weight for the title fight. The tactic proved senseless, as Andrade and his team decided to remain in the 154 lb. division as the reigning titlist, thus unnecessarily delaying the process to fill the middleweight vacancy.

Waiting in the wings was Lee, who waffled on a decision earlier in the year to permanently drop down from middleweight following a come-from-behind 5th round knockout of previously unbeaten John Jackson this past June in New York City. With the chance to once again challenge for a title, Lee – who was stopped in seven rounds by then-unbeaten titlist Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. more than two years ago in his lone title bid – willingly embraced the chance to face Korobov.

The proposed fight will land on December 13, either in Las Vegas, England or Ireland.

Should the fight wind up in Vegas, it will serve as a supporting bout to former welterweight titlist Tim Bradley in a crossroads matchup with Argentina’s Diego Chaves, with the card airing on HBO. However, the payday that would come with such a showing would likely pale in comparison to the revenue that can be generated in staging the fight in the United Kingdom, which would allow for live primetime coverage on the subscriber-based BoxNation network.

“It’s a big opportunity for Matt, really for both fighters,” notes Carl Moretti, Top Rank Vice President of Boxing Operations. “They deserve to make as much money as they can for this fight, so that will determine where the fight takes place. Hopefully everyone hears good news this week.”

The good news for everyone else would be for this matter to once and for all reach a resolution.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox