Artur Petterbiev and Joe Smith Jr. are close to a light heavyweight consolidation deal this summer

Sources told ESPN that Artur Petterbiev and Joe Smith Jr. are close to a deal to unite for the light heavyweight title this summer in New York.

Currently, Smith is seeking a purse of around $1.8 million for what could be a major event for ESPN; Sources said his Star Boxing promoter had offered him nearly $1.5 million.

The winner of the three belts standardization would be just one belt away from undisputed status at 175 lbs. Beterbiev, ESPN’s No. 1 light heavyweight champion, is the division’s only unified champion. Smith and Dmitri Bevol own the other belts.

“[Beterbiev] That’s what I want,” ESPN’s fourth-seeded heavyweight Smith said a few weeks ago after scoring in the ninth round of KO for Steven Gerrard. I will get better and better. I think the next time you see me, I’ll be ready for anyone.”

Smith (28-3, 22 KOs) has improved dramatically in recent years. After decision losses to Bevol and Sullivan Parreira within three fights, Smith had four victories. Notably, he suspended former champion Elder Alvarez in 2020 and won a vacant title in April by defeating Maxim Vlasov with a majority vote.

The 32-year-old fighter from Long Island, New York, was scheduled to fight Omar Salamov in October, but Smith withdrew after being hospitalized with COVID symptoms. A planned January fight against Callum Johnson was called off after Johnson tested positive for the virus, with Gerrard arriving as a replacement.

Against Peterbiev, Smith will be clearly an underdog in the pot, but the match is still highly anticipated. In addition to the stakes, both fighters are formidable attackers with fan-friendly tactics.

Beterbiev (17-0, 17 KOs) is the only active boxing champion with 100% KO. The 37-year-old Russian Scored in the 9th round by KO! In December, his fifth title defense. Now, Petribev is preparing for a possible showdown with Smith in the summer.