By Mike Coppinger

BoxingScene has been advised by sources close to the negotiations that a deal is imminent to match featherweights Javier Fortuna and Luis Franco on August 2 on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights." The three locations being considered are Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Oklahoma.

Fortuna (22-0, 16 KOs) is quickly establishing himself as one of the biggest punchers in the sport. In his last bout, he scored a highlight reel knockout of lightly regarded featherweight Miguel Zamudio.

Franco (11-1, 7 KOs), a 2004 Olympian from Cuba, would easily represent Fortuna's best opponent to date. Franco, however, is coming off his first pro defeat, an October 2012 split decision loss to Mauricio Munoz.

Mike Coppinger is a regular contributor to USA Today's boxing coverage and is a full member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeCoppinger.