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

After a two and a half year retirement, former three-division champion Erik Morales will continue his comeback in a bout against junior welterweight Marcos Maidana on April 9, Golden Boy promoter Richard Schaefer said.

Following weeks of failed negotiations with other opponents, Morales (51-6, 35 KOs),  whose won three fights in a row since ending his retirement, will now battle Argentinean native Maidana (29-2, 27 KOs).

“I can tell you what Erik Morales said to me, that he feels like this is an early Christmas present,” Schaefer said to ESPN. “It’s really the fight he wants.”

Although Morales appears to be making a giant step up in light welterweight competition, Schaefer assured he will be ready.

“He and his father were begging us for this fight,” Schaefer said. “He did take some time off and there is a history of fighters who took time off and came back and did write another chapter in the career, and not only pick up where they left off but go to bigger heights.”

Maidana, who exploded onto the boxing scene earning 25 knockouts, is now considered one of the top light welterweights in the world.

“Maidana is one of the most credible 140-pounders and an exciting fighter,” Schaefer said. “Most people rank him third in the division [behind Timothy Bradley Jr. and Amir Khan].”

After losing a split decision to Andriy Kotelnik (31-4, 13 KOs) on Feb. 2, Maidana went on a four fight win streak, defeating Victor Ortiz, William Gonzalez, Victor Manuel Cayo and DeMarcus Corley. Most recently, Maidana fell short losing a unanimous decision to Khan, in a dramatic slugfest which earned 2010 “Fight of the Year” by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

The Morales-Maidana bout, which will air live on HBO PPV at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV, is one of four bouts Schaefer said is finalized.

“I got the ‘Fight Freak’ card done,” Schaefer said in reference to the cards appeal towards hardcore boxing fans. “Everything is locked in.”

Featured in the co-main event, former featherweight and junior lightweight titlist Robert Guerrero will meet Australian action star Michael Katisidis.

“It’s one of the most exciting fights one can make in boxing and I’m really looking forward to it,” Schaefer said. “Helluva fight. The winner will come out as a major guy.”

In addition, former WBC and WBA super welterweight champion Winky Wright will return from a two-year hiatus to face Britain’s own Matthew Macklin; while junior middleweight prospect James Kirkland (barring a win in his March 5 bout) will open the pay per view portion against an unnamed opponent.

—Alex Neely

It’s All Up To The Hayemaker Now » WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO insists he is ready and willing to fight David Haye on July 2. • Fight fans are desperate to see WBA champion Haye step in the ring with Klitschko, who holds the IBF and WBO heavyweight titles… GAVIN GLICKSMAN, www.thesun.co.uk

An Opportunity For Boxing Amid NFL And NBA Labor Woes » On Sunday I sat through what was about as enjoyable a Super Bowl as I could hope for, so I didn’t have my usual complaints about the average NFL game containing a mere 11 minutes of action. Most of the rest of America certainly feels stronger about the sport than I do, though. As a result, I honestly wonder what would happen to the American sports fan if the next NFL season was abbreviated or outright canceled because owners and players couldn’t arrive at a new deal out of their labor negotiations, as many fear is possible… Tim Starks, queensberry-rules.com

Tim Bradley: Devon Alexander Fight ‘Was A Little Bit Personal’ » WBO and WBC junior welterweight (140 pounds) champion, Tim Bradley, shared his thoughts in this Q&A with FanHouse concerning his HBO televised, Jan. 29, unanimous, technical decision victory that dethroned southpaw WBC titlist Devon Alexander and may have set him up with bigger and better opportunities… Lem Satterfield, boxing.fanhouse.com