Former WBO welterweight beltholder Paul Williams will fight unbeaten Cuban Erislandy Lara on July 9 in Atlantic City, N.J., according to published reports.

Boxingscene.com cites "sources close to the situation" in saying that a deal has been reached for the intriguing match-up.

Lara (15-0-1, 10 knockouts) is a legendary world amateur champion whose perfect professional record was blemished in March by a majority draw with Carlos Molina. Williams (39-2, 27 KOs), also is on the rebound, having suffered a devastating second-round knockout at the hand of Sergio Martinez in a November fight for the WBC middleweight crown. He won a majority decision over Martinez two years earlier.

 Dennis Taylor is editor/publisher of www.ringsideboxingshow.com and co-host of The Ringside Boxing Show.