By Rick Reeno

BoxingScene.com has been advised that a deal is close for former three division world champion Adrien Broner (30-2, 22KOs) to face former beltholder Khabib Allakhverdiev (19-1, 9KOs) for the vacant WBA 'regular' junior welterweight championship on October 3rd either in Las Vegas or Cincinnati. The televised outlet is unknown at the moment.

The card will be co-promoted by Vladimir Hryunov (who works with Khabib) and one of the promoters who work with Haymon Boxing.

The 'regular' WBA belt was vacated by Jessie Vargas in June when he moved up to the welterweight division to challenge WBO champion Timothy Bradley. Broner is ranked at #2 under the WBA and Khabib is sitting at #5.

Khabib has been inactive since last April, when he lost a close twelve round decision to Vargas on the Pacquiao-Bradley II undercard. There were some who felt Khabib had done enough to earn the victory. There was immediately talk of a rematch, but it never happened.

Broner is coming off a June twelve round decision loss to Shawn Porter in a fight which took place in the welterweight division [catch-weight of 144]. Both of Broner's career defeats came in the welterweight ranks. He's won all three of his fights at the junior welterweight limit.

A win would make Broner a four division champion. He's won world titles at 130, 135 and 147.

The WBA's 'super champion' at the weight is still Danny Garcia, and Jose Benavides is the interim-beltholder.