Rigondeaux’s promoter: We are close to the deal with Lomachenko

Vasyl Lomachenko vs Guillermo Rigondeaux
Vasyl Lomachenko vs Guillermo Rigondeaux

Dino Duva, promoter of WBA World Champion in the bantamweight division Guillermo Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 KOs) said that negotiations over the fight against WBO belt-bearer in the super featherweights Vasily Lomachenko (9-1, 7 KOs) are close to completion, informs ESPN.

Duva said he has been talking to Arum about making the fight since before Lomachenko knocked out Miguel Marriaga in the seventh round of a one-sided fight to retain his world title on ESPN on Aug. 5.

"We are in good, positive, serious talks and hoping it can get done. We're close to a deal. We don't have any contracts done yet, and hopefully we can get a deal done," Duva said Sunday night. "We're in a pretty good place from all angles, and we're hopeful we can get it done very soon. I've been talking to Bob. We've had very good talks. We're trying to fine-tune the deal to make sure the fighters and the companies are happy. I am cautiously hopeful. It will be a great fight, a great, historic fight."

"The weight is not an issue," Duva said. "Rigo feels like he can go anywhere from 122 to 130 pounds. Rigo wants to and has to make a statement, and this is the fight he can make a statement in. He feels he can beat anybody. He realizes Lomachenko is a tough fight, but if this is made, it is a great fight for fans and a great fight for boxing."