By Rick Reeno

BoxingScene.com was advised that a middleweight clash between WBO/WBC champion Kelly Pavlik (36-1, 32KOs) and WBC junior middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (42-22, 24KOs) was being discussed for 2010. BoxingScene was told that Pavlik's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank had recently spoken with promoter Lou DiBella about the possibility of a fight with Martinez. I've heard their discussion will continue after the holidays.

When reached for comment, DiBella confirmed that Arum had spoken to him about that fight but wouldn't disclose further details at this time.

After fighting a bad staph infection in his hand for a better part of the year, Pavlik returned on December 19 to stop Miguel Espino in five rounds. On December 5, Martinez and Paul Williams traded knockdowns in a twelve-round "fight of the year" candidate. Williams won a majority decision. Pavlik's team is interested in a fight with Williams but the negotiations could prove to be difficult. Williams' promoter Dan Goossen wants a 50-50 co-promotion, and that's not something Top Rank is going to do.