by David P. Greisman

This much is apparently certain: junior welterweight titleholder Ruslan Provodnikov will make the first defense of his belt on June 14 on HBO.

Who he’ll defend it against is unknown for the moment — but not for long.

“In a couple of days we’ll be able to make an announcement who the opponent’s going to be,” Arthur Pelullo of Banner Promotions told BoxingScene.com on Feb. 28.

Provodnikov stopped Mike Alvarado last October for the title. One of the names on the list of potential opponents is former lightweight titleholder Antonio DeMarco, who was dominated by Adrien Broner in late 2012 but has returned with a pair of wins since, stopping Fidel Monterrosa Munoz in August 2013 and Jesus Gurrola this past January. Both of those bouts were held between the junior welterweight and welterweight limits, but DeMarco is expected to compete at 140.

“He’s a Mexican fighter. He’s going to come to fight. His style is suited for Ruslan Provodnikov,” Pelullo said. “It’ll make my guy look good, and it’s a good fight for us. It’s something that we’d like to do. DeMarco wants the payday.”

Other names that have been mentioned are the winner of a March 29 fight between Thomas Dulorme and Karim Mayfield, as well as prospect Chris Algieri and Brandon Rios.

“The only reason why I’m less warm to Mayfield and Dulorme is they have to fight first, and I’m concerned that if they fight, there might be an injury, so the winner might be hurt and then I have another postponement,” Pelullo said. “I don’t want to do that. I just want to pick the opponent now, somebody who’s not fighting. Let’s make the date and make the fight.”

As for Rios, Pelullo wants him to make 140 in order to fight Provodnikov, and he’s skeptical about Rios’ ability to hit the junior-welterweight limit.

“I’m not sure what he can do, but if he can make 140 pounds, he’s in the mix,” Pelullo said. “I’m not working on any fight right now that I’m not sure can happen. I can tell you that Brandon Rios has told me and his promoter, Bob Aurm of Top Rank, that he can make weight. I have to figure that all out because I’m a little skeptical because he was taking diuretics to make 147 [against Manny Pacquiao in November].

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen there,” Pelullo said, admitting that he also didn’t yet know what would convince him that Rios can make 140. “I have to figure that all out.”

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