By Ben Jacobs

A much talked about rematch between Vasyl Lomachenko (8-1, 6 KOs) and Orlando ‘Siri’ Salido (44-13-4, 31 KOs) could be close to fruition. Earlier tonight Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times tweeted that the Staples Center in California is on hold for August 5 with a view to hosting that bout.

Mexico’s Salido handed Lomachenko his first defeat in what was only his second professional contest back in March, 2014, via a split decision.

BoxingScene.com tonight reached out to Salido’s manager, Sean Gibbons, for an update on the possibility.

“Salido has agreed in principle to the rematch”, Gibbons confirmed.

“There’s one hang-up that Top Rank is trying to work out still and we have a meeting about that tomorrow.

“Financially Salido has agreed to terms so it’s a matter of working out one last thing which I’ll leave to Top Rank to handle. We’ve done everything possible to give Lomachenko the chance to avenge his only professional loss.”

‘Siri’ last fought in his hometown on May 27 claiming victory over Aristides Pérez who retired on his stall while Lomachenko stopped former world champion Jason Sosa in April.

“Salido is older, a little more tired, Lomachenko is a little better so it makes for an intriguing fight,” Gibbons continued.

“Salido is not shot hand and feet wise, maybe doesn’t take as good a shot but he gets up and he’s there to rumble all night.

“He’s a big man at that weight and that creates problems for Lomachenko who is really not a big guy. If he goes to 135lbs he’s going to have a problem.

“We should know by Thursday what’s happening.”