Boxing: Mamani to Fight Zlaticanin for WBC Lightweight Strap on Saturday

Showtime Championship Boxing will open its telecast with a world title fight on Saturday when Dejan Zlaticanin will oppose late replacement Franklin Mamani for the vacant WBC lightweight title.

Mamani (21-2-1, 12 KOs) was already in training camp in preparation to fight Chad Bennett for a regional belt, but the Bolivian jumped at the chance to fight for the 135-pound title when original combatant Emiliano Marsili pulled out of the bout with an illness.

The event will be anchored by the 12-round junior welterweight showdown between former champions Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) and John Molina (28-6, 23 KOs). 2008 Olympian Demetrius Andrade (22-0, 15 KOs) will take on Willie Nelson (25-2-1, 15 KOs) in a 12-round WBC junior middleweight title eliminator will serves as the evening’s co-feature.

The action will commence from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. and will be televised live on Showtime beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.