Arum: Negotiations for Lomachenko-Linares underway

Vasyl Lomachenko will return to action this spring on ESPN, and it’s a strong possibility his opponent could be Jorge Linares.

Bob Arum tells ESPN that he’s been talking with one of Linares’ promoters, Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions, “for a month” about the fight, waiting until Linares beat Mercito Gesta this past Saturday to discuss specific terms.

According to Arum, both fighters want it, and the fight could happen on April 28 or May 12.

“It’s being worked on for the next fight. We want to make sure that Linares is OK and ready to go. He had a little cut [against Gesta] and he hurt his hand a little bit, so we need to make sure he’s fine. Depending on how he feels, the fight will be either April 28 or May 12. Linares is a tremendous fighter. He’s a guy with an excellent résumé and a good name.”

As for Linares’ other promoter, Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya says they’re ready to make the fight, too, but De La Hoya does say Arum should give him an opportunity to beat the money involved and put the fight on HBO if Oscar feels he can do so.

WBA lightweight titleholder Linares (44-3, 27 KO) beat Gesta by decision, and has won 13 straight overall, dating back to 2012. WBO super featherweight titleholder Lomachenko (10-1, 8 KO) last fought in December, routing Guillermo Rigondeaux and forcing his third straight foe to quit in the ring.