WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares is set to defend his title for the third time against challenger Dejan Zlaticanin of Podgorica, Montenegro in a fight that could happen in the next quarter and in a venue yet to be determined.
Promoters of Linares and Zlaticanin have agreed on Friday morning to stage the fight according to ESPN’s Dan Rafael. Golden Boy Promotions and Teiken Boxing represent Linares while promoter Lou DiBella represents Zlaticanin. “Terms were not disclosed, but DiBella said his offer was backed by Showtime, which he said will televise the fight. The site and date have not yet been determined,” Rafael writes. Linares (40-3-0, 27 KOs) is coming off a fourth-round knockout win against Ivan Cano of Mexico in a 12-round encounter last Oct. 10 at the El Poliedro, in Caracas, Venezuela. Cano lost all three rounds to Linares on points going to the fourth round. In the fourth round, Cano got caught with a solid body shot from Linares, sending the Mexican to the canvas for the count. It was the former Pacquiao sparring partner’s ninth win in a row since losing to Sergio Thompson in 2012. Read more: Zlaticanin is fresh off a TKO win against Ivan Redkach last June 13 at the Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Alabama for the WBC Lightweight title final eliminator. The 31-year-old southpaw from Montenegro is unbeaten in 21 fights since turning pro in 2008. From his 21 wins, 14 came via KO. While most of his bouts were fought against untested opponents, Zlaticanin fought durable Ricky Burns of Scotland last year to win the vacant WBC International Lightweight title at the Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland.
