Stiverne patiently awaits next fight

If Bermane Stiverne has learned anything during his brief reign as a heavyweight champion, it’s patience.

Stiverne, who won the vacant World Boxing Council title May 10 with a sixth-round technical knockout of Chris Arreola, has a mandatory title defense against undefeated Deontay Wilder.

But the purse bids for the fight have been delayed twice. The second attempt was canceled Wednesday after the WBC was told that Don King, who promotes Stiverne, and Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Wilder, were close to making a deal for a fight in December.

The 35-year-old Stilverne (24-1-1, 21 knockouts) has resumed training in Las Vegas after injuring his right hand and left shoulder in the Arreola fight, which forced a postponement of the initial purse bid.

Stiverne’s manager, Camille Estephan, said his fighter wants the 28-year-old Wilder (32-0, 32 KOs).

“He is 100 percent now, and we want to fight in December,” Estephan said. “I’m optimistic the fight will happen. We’re very close. It’s a matter of finding a place.”

Estephan said Montreal, Quebec City and New York are possible sites. Showtime is interested in televising the fight.

■ JESSIE’S NEXT FIGHT — Las Vegas super bantamweight Jessie Magdaleno (19-0, 15 KOs) returns to the ring Oct. 25 in Fresno, Calif., facing Erik Ruiz (13-1, six KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., in an eight-round bout that will be televised on UniMas.

In the main event of the Top Rank-promoted card, junior welterweight Jose Ramirez (11-0, eight KOs) will meet an opponent to be determined in an eight-round bout.

■ REMEMBERING GOOSSEN — The boxing world was stunned to hear of the death of promoter Dan Goossen on Monday. Goossen, 64, died from complications of liver cancer.

Goossen’s most recent endeavor was the May 10 WBC heavyweight title fight in Los Angeles between Arreola and Stiverne. He also helped guide Andre Ward to the world super middleweight title, and even though the two were locked in a legal battle, Ward expressed his condolences.

“My thoughts and prayers have been with Dan and his family since I received the news last week,” Ward said in a statement. “While Dan and I recently had our professional struggles, he was a great man, father and husband.”

Goossen also helped promote the Ruelas brothers, Gabriel and Rafael, Michael Nunn, Terry Norris and James Toney. He also participated in the promotion of fights involving Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. and helped manage the business affairs of baseball’s Pete Rose and actor Mr. T.

Funeral services will be Tuesday in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent in Goossen’s memory to the charity of his late brother Greg, a former major league baseball player. Donations may be sent to Notre Dame High School, 13645 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, Calif., 91423.

■ AMATEUR CARD — The North Las Vegas Center Ring Boxing Club will host a 20-bout amateur card Oct. 18 at the Silver Nugget. Tickets are $10, with children 8 and under admitted free. The first bell is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.