» Former light heavyweight titleholder Chad Dawson and Adrian Diaconu have agreed on terms and will meet on May 21, according to Dawson’s promoter Gary Shaw…

The highly-anticipated, title unification bout between Amir Khan and Timothy Bradley is a step closer to reality, according to Bradley’s co-promoter, Gary Shaw.

After speaking with Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions – which represents Khan – Shaw said a “deal in principle” is in place to have the two light welterweight champions fight on July 23 on HBO.

Cameron Dunkin, Bradley’s manager, confirmed the preliminary agreement, stating that his fighter is willing to extend his contract, which ends in June, with Shaw and Thompson Boxing to make the fight come to fruition.

“Gary said [to Bradley], ‘Would you be willing to extend our agreement long enough to get this fight done?’ Timmy told us to go ahead and pursue it,” Dunkin said.

With the first steps of negotiations in place, Shaw emphasized that both fighters must now review the terms of the contracts before signing off on the agreements.

“Nothing is done until that happens,” Shaw said.

In addition, Khan also must defeat undefeated Paul McCloskey on April 16 at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.

With several stipulations remaining, the fight is far from complete. However, Dunkin seems confident it will occur.

“Khan wants this fight; Timmy is open to fighting anyone,” Dunkin said. “We’re not far along but this is a very, very doable fight.”

Khan (24-1, 17 KOs), the WBA light welterweight champion, outpointed Marcos Rene Maidana on Dec. 11, in a slugfest the Boxing Writers Association of America called the 2010 “Fight of the Year”. In polar opposite fashion, the WBO and WBC light welterweight champion, Bradley, is a fresh off a disappointing 10-round technical decision over Devon Alexander on Jan. 29.

—Alex Neely

Manny Pacquiao Trainer Freddie Roach Preferred Juan Manuel Márquez Over Shane Mosley » There is no shortage of boxers who want to take down the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. • But if Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, had his way, the Filipino superstar would be taking on Mexican Juan Manuel Márquez. Instead, Pacquiao is scheduled to fight against Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas… Wil Cruz, latino.foxnews.com

Promoters For Alexander-Bradley: Why Not Detroit? » The greater Detroit area, smack in the middle of one of the USA’s most economically depressed regions, is not usually high on the list of destinations for major sporting events these days. • Which is precisely why boxing promoters Gary Shaw and Don King insist that it is the most desirable venue for staging their Jan. 29 “Superfight” — a matchup of undefeated junior welterweight fighters Devon Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs) and Timothy Bradley (26-0, 11 KOs)… Bob Velin, www.usatoday.com

Tim Bradley Won’t Let Flu Slow Him For Devon Alexander » FanHouse spoke to 27-year-old WBO junior welterweight (140 pounds) king Tim Bradley in this Q&A as he prepares for an HBO televised, Jan. 29 clash opposite 23-year-old southpaw WBC titlist Devon Alexander that is slated for the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich. • Nicknamed, “The Desert Storm,” Bradley (26-0, 11 knockouts) told FanHouse that he will not allow a recent bout with the flu interfere with his training for Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs), who is called, “The Great.”… Lem Satterfield, boxing.fanhouse.com