Cincinnati's Larry Donald has moved one step closer to a heavyweight title bout. Exactly how many steps remain is uncertain.

        Boxing does not lend itself to logic. Yet when Donald fights Kirk Johnson — probably July 7 at Coney Island, N.Y. — it will be with the understanding that the winner becomes the mandatory challenger for the World Boxing Association belt worn by John Ruiz.

        Ruiz and Evander Holyfield are scheduled to meet for the third time, Aug.4 in Beijing. The winner of their rubber match would be bound to defend his title against the winner of the Donald-Johnson bout. At least in theory.

        “One of the hardest things to obtain is the WBA's rules and guidelines,” said Johnson's co-manager, Ken Lilien. “I think the Holy Grail is easier to find.”

        Donald, a former Olympian, was scheduled to fight on the June 16 card at Cintas Center. Johnson's reluctance to stage the elimination bout in Donald's hometown prompted a purse bid competition that was resolved Monday.

        Johnson's promoter, Cedric Kushner, submitted a sealed bid of $679,000 for the right to stage the fight. Don King, who promotes Donald, bid $476,010. The winning bid will be split evenly between the two fighters.

        Terms of the bidding require that the fight be held no sooner than 45 days from the completion of the purse bid process and no later than 90 days afterward. Lilien said the date and site were “pretty firm,” and that the bout probably would be shown on HBO.

        Johnson, 31-0-1, is the only undefeated boxer among the major heavyweights. Donald, 38-1-1, has lost only to former champion Riddick Bowe.

        “Both of these guys are in the position where they need to make a move like this,” said Kushner matchmaker Eric Bottjer. “I think both guys are convinced they can win the fight.”

        Whether winning that fight leads to a title fight may be a matter for the courts. Hasim Rahman, the WBC and IBF champion, is scheduled to fight Brian Nielsen of Denmark on the Ruiz-Holyfield card. Don King's plans to stage a heavyweight title unification fight would match the winners of the two Beijing bouts. Yet both Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson have filed suit seeking priority on Rahman's schedule.

        Untangling the various legal claims and financial considerations could take months. In the meantime, Donald and Johnson will proceed on the theory that their bout should lead to something bigger.

        Attempts to reach Donald's representatives Tuesday were unsuccessful. Bottjer was speaking for both camps, however, when he said the important consideration now is getting assurances from the WBA that the winner would be guaranteed a shot at the title.

        “The chances of getting an answer is 100 percent,” Bottjer said. “The chances of it being the right answer is a different question.”

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