By Terence Dooley

BoxingScene understands that talks are underway between the representatives of Ola Afolabi, 21-4-4 (10), and Ovill McKenzie, 24-12 (12).  The cruiserweights are in discussion for a summer showdown and hopefully there will be official news soon about the mooted 200lb encounter.

If made, the bout could help Afolabi get right back into contention following April’s decision defeat to Victor Emilo Ramierz for the IBF's interim title.  The 35-year-old has had a staccato schedule in recent years, fighting once thus far in 2015, once in 2014 and twice in 2013.  You have to go back to 2011 to find a fairly active year for the former WBO interim titlist—three fights and three wins.

McKenzie has also had a stop-start career of late, but he put a bad, single fight 2013 (L TKO 11 to Enzo Maccarinelli, who was stopped in nine by Afolabi in 2009) behind him to grab the British and Commonwealth belts last year.  His sole bout of 2015 saw him out-point Blackpool’s Matty Askin in March.

“The Upsetter” has been in fine form since moving up from 175lbs following the defeat to Maccarinelli; the 35-year-old would roll into a showdown with Afolabi with plenty of confidence and pep.

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