Tim Austin has defended his bantamweight title six times, but never before on his own turf. Next time, he gets to headline at home.

        The International Boxing Federation's bantamweight champion reached the Olympics through Cincinnati's amateur ranks, but has never fought at home as a professional. He will get that chance June 16, when he risks his 118-pound belt at the Cintas Center against No.6-ranked Steve Dotse.

        “We don't have a firm agreement yet,” said Phil Jones, director of the Cintas Center. “But I've sent them the event agreement and they told me everything looks fine.”

        The card, which will be broadcast by HBO After Dark, will also include local heavyweight contender Larry Donald, provided an appropriate opponent can be found.

        “We've been trying to get Larry in the ring with Kirk Johnson,” said Bob Goodman, vice president of Don King's boxing operation. “We've been ready, able and set to go and we keep getting the two-step. If they can deliver (Johnson) it might happen, but I don't think at this point they've stepped up to the plate. We want to make sure he fights. We don't want him inactive.”

        Austin and Donald were teammates on the 1992 United States Olympic team, and have lost only one professional fight between them. The left-handed Austin, 22-0-1 with 20 knockouts, has held the IBF title since July 19, 1997. Donald, 39-1-2, has long been a ranked contender unable to secure a title shot. He is ranked No.4 by both the IBF and World Boxing Association and No.5 by the World Boxing Council.

        Dotse, a native of Ghana who now fights out of Atlanta, is 18-3-2 with 16 knockouts.

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