By Salvador Rodriguez
Former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. appears to have no interest in extending his promotional contract with Top Rank. Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank, says Chavez's contract ends in October 2015, which the Mexican boxer's camp disputes.
There were serious negotiations to have Chavez face WBA/IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin at the 168-pound limit in July, but the fight fell apart over Chavez's position to receive a sizable purse without a contract extension.
According to Chavez Jr., Top Rank offered him $6.6 million to face Golovkin - with a two fight extension included in the deal. After rejecting the clause of a two fight extension, the boxer claims Top Rank made a new offer of $2 million, without any promotional extension included, and Chavez rejected the purse for being what he believed was far too low.
"There is no despair, I am calm because I know I'm doing the right thing. Obviously I wanted the fight with Gennady Golovkin and the public wanted it, but the fighters deserve respect inside and outside the ring, so maybe now I'll wait [to see what happens]," Chavez Jr. said. "I'll be ready for whatever comes."
"I was excited for the fight. I guess even the promoter of Golovkin was annoyed [by the contract issues delaying the deal], but there are [other] opponents who I can face at 168 pounds, even at 160 pounds. I will be ready."
