Matt Korobov vs. Andy Lee: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

A legitimate world title is up for grabs on Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Undefeated 31-year-old Russian Matt Korobov (24-0, 14 KO) will battle "Irish" Andy Lee (33-2, 23 KO) for the vacant WBO middleweight title.

The belt was most recently held by the undefeated "Kid Chocolate" Peter Quillin. He gave up the title and a $1.4 million payday against Korobov. Per ESPN.com's Dan Rafael, Quillin said he made the decision for a reason: "In order to make the fights the fans and I want against my fellow middleweights at the top of the division, I needed to relinquish the title."

By releasing himself from the mandatory challengers the WBO might send his way, Quillin is free to pursue bigger names. The only issue for him is whether or not fights against the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Canelo Alvarez or Miguel Cotto will ever materialize.

In the meantime, Korobov and Lee will put it all on the line for the belt Quillin didn't want. 

This bout is the top preliminary fight on a card that also features Timothy Bradley vs. Diego Chaves. ESPN's Dan Rafael talks money for the event:

Here's how you can watch.

When: Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10 p.m. ET

Where: Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

TV: HBO

Live Stream: Box Nation (subscription required and region restricted)

The Book on Korobov

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

To say Korobov's career was brought along slowly would be an understatement. Despite the fact that he is 31 years old and has had 24 professional fights, Korobov has only two fights scheduled for more than eight rounds in his career. 

He started his professional career at the slightly advanced age of 25, but there didn't seem to be much of a sense of urgency with his matchmaking. After a long and successful amateur career, it seemed Korobov would be on his way, but things haven't materialized quickly.

Aside from journeyman tough guy Derek Findley, most fight fans won't recognize anyone on Korobov's resume. In his most recent bout, he defeated previously undefeated Jose Uzcategui in June.

It was a competitive and entertaining scrap that was broadcast by HBO, and it helped to gain Korobov notoriety. While Uzcategui had some skills, he doesn't bring the power threat into a matchup that Lee does.

This isn't a fight with an elite middleweight, but Lee is most certainly a major step up for Korobov.

The Book on Lee

The first shot at a world title for Lee didn't work out well. He's hoping the second time renders better results. Back in 2012, Lee was stopped in the seventh round by then-WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. 

The champion's iron chin and heavy body shots proved to be too much for Lee, and the 30-year-old Irishman tasted defeat for just the second time in his career.

That was the last time Lee lost.

He's won five straight fights since. Most recently, he got off the canvas against John Jackson to score a sensational one-punch knockout in the fifth round. Lee was down on all three scorecards and hurt when he fired a short right hand with his back against the ropes. 

The dynamic stoppage takes place around the 19-minute mark of the video below.

That exciting win is what propelled him into this opportunity. In his career, 16 of Lee's 23 TKO/KO wins have come inside of five rounds. When he's at his best, he's landing big shots early in the bout. Can he catch Korobov with a bomb, or will he have to employ a different strategy?

Prediction

This will finally be Lee's night to win a world title.

He's had to persevere through some ups and downs as a professional, but he has a fighter's heart and spirit. While Korobov may have a slight edge as a boxing technician, Lee is a bigger (6'2" to 5'10") and more naturally powerful middleweight.

His punches will carry more weight as will his experience. 

Despite being a year younger than Korobov, Lee has had 11 more professional fights, and he's been in the ring with better opposition. Saturday, all of these advantages will lead Lee to victory. Lee sees the championship rounds as his time to take over the bout, as do I. Per Sky Sports, Lee said this while appearing on the Toe 2 Toe podcast:

"

He was a very good amateur and was probably considered the best in the world at the time, but since he turned pro he hasn't set the world alight. The more I watch him the more confident I get, and I see a lot of opportunities that he is going to give me to out-box him - and if it does go into the late rounds, how I can hurt him. I think my extra experience and extra power will be the deciding factors and pull me through the last few rounds.

"

Usually, I don't put much stock into how a fighter says he will beat an opponent. However, in this case, it happens to align with my thinking. Look for Lee to score a late-round stoppage win and claim the WBO middleweight crown.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.