By Scott Gilfoid: The World Boxing Council has ordered negotiations to take place between WBA lightweight champion Jorge Linares (41-3, 27 KOs) and World Boxing Council World lightweight champion Dejan Zlaticanin (22-0, 15 KOs). However, Linares suffered a hand injury in his recent 12 round unanimous decision win over champion Anthony Crolla on September 24.
With Linares unable to fight, the WBC is going to allow the 32-year-old Zlaticanin make a voluntary defense of his WBC 135lb belt while Linares recovers from his hand injury. Linares, 31, is expected to be on the shelf for a while with the injury.