Golovkin's Promoter Says Jacobs Announcement is Near

By Radio Rahim

After months of negotiations, a deal is finally within reach for a mandatory fight between IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (36-0, 33KOs) and challenger Daniel Jacobs (32-1, 29KOs).

The fighter initially scheduled to fight this month, but it was pushed back after both sides were unable to reach an agreement in time. The new date being targeted is March 18th at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Based on the early indications, the fight is potentially going to land on HBO Pay-Per-View. Both fighters have tremendous power and most insiders are anticipating a knockout ending.

There is not a lot of time remaining. After several delays, the World Boxing Association has set down a drop-dead date for the purse bid on December 19th in Panama. Jacobs is the WBA's 'regular' champion at 160-pounds, while Golovkin is the sanctioning body's "super" champion in the same division. 

Loeffler feels confident that he'll be able to reach a deal prior to a purse bid. He's ironing out the fine points with Jacobs' adviser Al Haymon.

"We're trying to make the fight with Danny Jacobs for the beginning of next year, March of next year. Hopefully we can get that wrapped up in the next day, hopefully by tomorrow and then we would have a nice fight to announce," Loeffler told BoxingScene.com.

"The purse bid is set for next Monday, so there is not really a lot of time to negotiate. I've been in regular contact with Al and I fell confident that we can work out the deal."

Golovkin was last seen in the ring back in September, when he broke down IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook in five rounds of action. Jacobs also saw action in September, when he blew away former champion Sergio Mora.