As promised, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya made a call to K2 Promotions managing director, Tom Loeffler, to discuss a possible showdown between WBC middleweight titlist Saul Alvarez and unified belt-holder Gennady Golovkin for later this year.
Loeffler confirmed to BoxingScene.com on late Monday afternoon - "I spoke with Oscar yesterday and we've scheduled to talk again tomorrow and I think with all the attention both from the fans and the media on the fight, a unification fight between 'Canelo' and Gennady, it's really dominating the sports news and clearly the biggest fight in the sport of boxing."
The call on Sunday did not include any real negotiating or specifics pertaining to this potential match-up.
"It was just an introductory call," explained Loeffler. "I have a good relationship with Oscar and all the people at Golden Boy. We did a very successful and cohesive promotion when we did the unification fight between David Lemieux and Gennady. So I don't foresee why we wont be able to work out a deal. I think it's going to be a cordial discussion."
As it stands now, Alvarez-Golovkin is among the biggest fights that can be made in all of boxing. The anticipation for this fight is now palpable.
Loeffler states,"If the pie is big enough like it's projected to be between the ticket sales and the pay-per-view for this fight, when it's a big enough pie to split up it's a lot easier to make a deal than otherwise."
By virtue of his standing as the WBC interim champion, Golovkin effectively became Alvarez's mandatory challenger. Last year he agreed to step-aside to allow the bout between Miguel Cotto - who was the WBC 160-pound champion, at the time - and Alvarez to take place. At the beginning of 2016, Golden Boy and K2 reached an agreement in conjunction with the WBC that allowed for both Alvarez and Golovkin to take one fight in the first half of 2016 before entering into a negotiation period that began this Monday.
If a deal can not be made, then this fight will go to a purse bid. With Golovkin being the interim champion, the split would be 55-45 in Alvarez's favor. But Loeffler makes it clear - "Our goal is not to push it to a purse bid. Our goal is to make a deal. I think for both sides it makes more sense to work out a deal to promote the fight."
Article courtesy of Steve Kim (Boxing Scene)
