By Joaquin Trejo

Although WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is reporting to the media that his next fight could be tentatively against Marco Antonio Rubio, currently the number one ranked contender, the Mexican beltholder's promoter Top Rank has has yet to initiate negotiations. Rubio's promoter, Oswaldo Kuchle, has yet to begin discussions regarding a possible fight with Chavez on February 4 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

"We are in the best position to negotiate a fight with Chavez. We want to do this fight in the early months of next year, but we don't understand why Julio says he wants to fight Rubio and his promoters say otherwise. We are open to talk to them and reach an agreement for that fight," said Kuchle.

"Chavez is always saying that he wants Cotto, he wants Rubio, he wants Canelo, and the same with 'Maravilla' Martinez, and then they put him in with second-tier fighters. They can't do this again. To the people who manage to Julio, I reiterate the position of our company. We are ready to hold discussions and reach the best terms for signing a fight between Rubio and Chavez."

Rubio faces Matt Vanda on Friday at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.