David Benavidez and Demetrius Andrade are finalizing an agreement for a super middleweight fight this fall in Las Vegas, sources told ESPN.
The battle of former champions will be a pay-per-view event, the sources said.
Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) scored the biggest win of his career in March, a unanimous decision victory over Caleb Plant. The 26-year-old fighter, who hails from Seattle, is ESPN's No. 2 super middleweight after undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez.
Benavidez is a two-time super middleweight champion; he lost his belt outside the ring on both occasions (positive cocaine test and then failing to make weight).
The volume puncher, known as "The Mexican Monster," is aiming for a showdown with Alvarez next year. But first, Benavidez will face a skillful boxer for the second consecutive fight when he takes on Andrade.
A former 154 and 160-pound champion, Andrade (32-0, 19 KOs) will finally secure the big fight he's been seeking at 35 years old. Long avoided due to his defensive prowess and boxing skills, Andrade moved up to 168 pounds in January with a unanimous decision win over Demond Nicholson.
Andrade, hailing from Providence, R.I., has never faced an elite opponent. He will step up in class when he meets Benavidez in a matchup that could propel the winner to a showdown with Canelo.
Andrade is ESPN's No. 8 super middleweight.
PBC told ESPN that they do not comment on negotiations.