By Dan Ambrose: Former WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto (27-1, 21 KO’s) could be facing IBF welterweight champion Jan Zaveck (31-1, 18 Ko’s) on HBO on September 3rd, according to boxing news from Dan Rafael. HBO reportedly has set that date aside and is holding it for Berto in a fight against Zaveck.

There still isn’t any venue for the fight, but it would likely have to take place in the U.S where Berto has a small following among fans. Berto lost his World Boxing Council title in his last fight in an exciting 12 round decision to Victor Ortiz last April.

Normally fighters have to wait a while before they get a title shot after losing their belt, but this would be a soft landing for Berto if he can quickly fight for strap against Zaveck, who is seen by many boxing fans as a weak paper champion. However, Berto looked to have stamina problems in his loss to Ortiz, so Zaveck would have a good chance of beating Berto if he can fight hard for 12 rounds.

Zaveck, 35, has held the IBF title since beating Isaac Hlatshwayo in 2009. Zaveck has defended the belt three times against little known opposition and has won two of his three title defenses by knockout. The issues that boxing fans hav with Zaveck is that he’s not fought any real recognizable opponents since he captured the IBF title and thus he’s been almost totally forgotten.

Berto was in the same boat at Zaveck in terms of facing obscure opposition during his time as the WBC champion. Berto faced largely smaller light welterweights and little known welterweights since capturing his belt in 2008. When Berto finally did step it up and face a quality welterweight in Ortiz, Berto was beaten. As such, a fight between Berto and Zaveck matches two guys that have been carefully matched. Hopefully the winner of this fight won’t continue to face obscure guys and slip off the radar again.