Andre Ward is close to inking a deal to fight Kelly Pavlik, according to promoter Bob Arum.
Ward has been targeted by Carl Froch for a rematch of their 2011 fight, but Top Rank's Arum has admitted that the super middleweight world champion will probably fight Pavlik in January.
"The deal is close," said Arum.
It is understood that the fight is pencilled in for January 26 at a Los Angeles venue that has yet to be determined.
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