By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com has spoken with multiple sources regarding the industry chatter pertaining to a possible HBO tripleheader on November 27. HBO's schedule got shaken up when certain dates were taken away from boxing in the fall. As a repair measure, the network extended the idea to combine certain fights, involving boxers who were promised HBO dates, on one card.
One idea being kicked around is an HBO tripleheader with Juan Manuel Marquez defending his WBO/WBA lightweight titles against Michael Katsidis in the main event. The co-feature would have Andre Berto defending his WBC welterweight title against mandatory Selcuk Aydin, and super batantamweight champion Celestino Caballero would open up the show.
The big roadblock, at least on paper, is making the proposal financially suitable for Berto to make his appearance on that card. Both Berto and Caballero were initally going to appear on a possible HBO tripleheader on October 2. Because neither of the two had finalized opponents, their fights were going to move to a later date. One possible date was December 18, which HBO took away from boxing and set aside for an upcoming concert.
From what BoxingScene has heard, Cabellero's participation on this card is very likely, with Ricardo Cardoba being pushed as the ongoing frontrunner to be the opponent. Berto on the other hand, is far from a lock.
BoxingScene reached out to promoter Lou DiBella, who refused to confirm Caballero's appearance on the card, but he did dispute any reports about Berto being involvolved as part of the co-feature - at least for the moment.
"There are a number of options being discussed, but there is no absolutely, unequivocally, no deal for Berto to fight there," DiBella said. "Any deal would have to be approved by Berto and his manager [Al Haymon]."
