A few notes from around the boxing world:
• Unified light heavyweight titlist Sergey Kovalev, who likely will fight this summer, and Andre Ward, who makes his 175-pound debut against Sulivan Barrera on March 26 (HBO), are on a collision course for later this year. They have a deal in place to meet as long as they win their upcoming fights. Should they do that the working date for their HBO PPV showdown is Nov. 19 at a venue to be determined.
• So what's the word on future Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto? I'm told he is penciled in for June 18. No set location (although likely New York) or opponent (but Juan Manuel Marquez is being discussed). Cotto, the first Puerto Rican to win world titles in four weight classes, lost the middleweight title to Canelo Alvarez by decision in his last fight on Nov. 21.
• Slugger Lucas Matthysse (37-4, 34 KOs) is likely to make his welterweight debut on the Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan HBO PPV undercard at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and his probable opponent is Mauricio Herrera (22-5, 7 KOs), who would also be moving up in weight if the fight is made. Both fighters are interested in the bout and Golden Boy is working to finalize the deal. The site deal for the card to take place at the new 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is close to being finalized, according to Golden Boy.
• The promoters for lightweight titlist Anthony Crolla (30-4-3, 12 KOs), of England, and interim titlist Ismael Barroso (19-0-2, 18 KOs), of Venezuela, are close to a deal for the mandatory fight. There's a good chance it will take place May 7 in England.