Golovkin's Promoter Denies Saunders Deal in Place For June 10

By Keith Idec

Gennady Golovkin’s promoter denied Tuesday that a deal has been made for Golovkin to fight WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders on June 10 in Golovkin’s native Kazakhstan.

Tom Loeffler, managing director for K2 Promotions (Golovkin’s promoter), acknowledged that he has explored possibilities for Golovkin beyond his HBO Pay-Per-View fight against Daniel Jacobs on March 18 at Madison Square Garden. Negotiations for an elusive showdown with Canelo Alvarez have been well-documented, but if Golovkin (36-0, 33 KOs) defeats Jacobs (32-1, 29 KOs), a fight against England’s Saunders (24-0, 12 KOs) would represent a chance for Golovkin to complete his goal of owning each of boxing’s four recognized middleweight titles.

“There’s no deal in place [for Golovkin-Saunders],” Loeffler said Tuesday during a conference call to promote the Golovkin-Jacobs fight. “Everyone is focused on the Danny Jacobs fight March 18th. Naturally, it’s my job, because it’s been so difficult to get guys to fight Gennady, my job is to look forward. His dream has always been to unify the titles. If there’s a possibility of making a Saunders fight in the future, if there’s a possibility for Canelo, like Gennady said, he’s ready.

“But right now he’s focused on March 18th. If everything goes well March 18th, we’ll see what the next highest-profile fight could be for Gennady. And certainly, his dream has been to unify the middleweight division, and if he’s successful on March 18th, that’s one title that’s eluded him so far.”

When asked again if Golovkin would face Saunders next if he beats Jacobs, Loeffler only would say Saunders is one potential opponent for the Kazakh knockout artist. The promoter reminded reporters on the conference call that Saunders and others have stated a desire to fight Golovkin in the past, only to head in different directions.

“The plan is to, if he’s successful March 18th, to fight the highest-profile fight, whoever’s willing to get in the ring with him,” Loeffler said. “A lot of people talked about fighting Gennady, but very few people actually sign the contract. We know everything that happened last year with Canelo, with Billy Joe Saunders, with Chris Eubank. And Kell Brook was the one to step up and take the fight. That’s why we have a lot of respect for Kell Brook.

“And we also have a lot of respect for Danny Jacobs, because he actually signed the contract to get in the ring and he was a mandatory challenger. Gennady fulfills all of his mandatory obligations. And this is certainly the most highest-profile fight and the most dangerous fight that Gennady has had. So there’s no way anyone could look past this fight. But I’m certainly in discussions with many different promoters to see who would actually be available and willing to fight him if he’s victorious [against Jacobs].”

Loeffler added that there hasn’t been any movement in Alvarez-Golovkin negotiations recently. While Golovkin seemingly would need to win two more bouts before a fight against Alvarez (48-1-1, 34 KOs), the Mexican superstar needs to overcome countryman Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (50-2-1, 32 KOs) in their May 6 fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to keep a Golovkin fight viable.

“It’s still in discussions,” Loeffler said in reference to an Alvarez-Golovkin fight. “I mean, look, there’s two big ifs there. Gennady’s gotta win next week and Canelo’s gotta win in May. But if those things don’t happen, then there’s no reason to plan for a fight. But if Canelo’s ready, if Golden Boy’s willing to make the deal, then we certainly would be open to it. But that’s my job, to look forward.

“But everyone knows if Gennady is not successful next week, then it doesn’t matter what plans I make. … That goes out the window. I’d say everyone on our side feels [Jacobs is] the biggest challenge for Gennady. He’s the biggest puncher, he’s got great hand speed, he’s physically bigger than Gennady and certainly will present a tremendous matchup at the Garden.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.