By Rick Reeno

A source with direct knowledge of the negotiations has informed BoxingScene.com that former champion and cagey veteran Steve Forbes (35-10, 11KOs) accepted a deal to face welterweight contender Jessie Vargas (18-0, 9KOs) on the undercard to the Floyd Mayweather-Miguel Cotto HBO pay-per-view, which takes place on May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Vargas was scheduled to fight Alfonso Gomez, who withdrew a few days ago with back spasms. Forbes has been training, and sparring, with WBC 154-pound champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, who appears on the same undercard in a title defense against Shane Mosley.

Forbes was defeated in his last two outings, against Jo Jo Dan and Karim Mayfield, but Golden Boy Promotions had their back against the wall with less than two weeks to find a suitable replacement.

On Tuesday, BoxingScene spoke to Forbes at the Mayweather Gym and he appeared to be in great shape.

"A deal was reached. The contract was sent out to Forbes. We expect him to sign," the source stated.