Boxing: AP sources: Showtime close to boxing tourney deal
DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK — Showtime is putting the final touches on a six-man super middleweight round-robin tournament that will include two current champions and three former U.S. Olympians.
Two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Thursday that the details, including sites and dates, are being worked out this week. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations were ongoing.
The tournament is expected to include WBA champion Mikkel Kessler and WBC champion Carl Froch along with middleweight titleholder Arthur Abraham. The three Europeans will be joined by former U.S. Olympians Jermain Taylor, Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell.
Showtime issued a statement Thursday saying all six fighters would be in New York for a "groundbreaking boxing announcement" Monday, but declined to elaborate.