By Edward Chaykovsky
The negotiations are ongoing for a middleweight showdown between IBO/IBF/WBA/WBC champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin and WBA mandatory challenger Daniel Jacobs.
The two sides are working out the terms for December 10th, in New York City - at either the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
Jacobs is viewed thus far as the most talented and most dangerous opponent for Golovkin, who continues to struggle with securing top opponents in his own weight class.
Jacobs has won eight fights in a row, all by knockout, since losing the sole bout of his career - a fifth round TKO defeat to Dmitry Pirog in 2010. His career also had a period on uncertainty, when he was diagnosed with cancer. Jacobs became the 'Miracle Man' after beat cancer, physically recovered and came back with a lot of motivation to make his mark in the sport.
On September 10th, Golovkin (36-0, 33 KOs) flew over to the O2 Arena in London and stopped IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook in five rounds. The night before, Jacobs (32-1, 29 KOs) easily crushed former champion Sergio Mora in the seventh round of their rematch.
Abel Sanchez, trainer for Golovkin, is hoping the fight is made. He says Jacobs is not scared of Golovkin like other opponents and he believes the match will really motivate his fighter.
Sanchez has a lot of respect for Jacobs' abilities and views the contest as a very dangerous fight.
"I hope the Jacobs fight gets made. We want that fight. I think Danny has been quiet and patient and now that the WBA has ordered the fight he's talking. He has a lot of talent," Sanchez told ABC News.
"The fact that this kid beat cancer, how is Golovkin going to scare him? That's a guy who really believes there is nothing he can't handle. Golovkin understands that Danny Jacobs would be coming at him with that kind of mentality. Our job is just to make sure that with all of Gennady's success that he doesn't get complacent. We've all seen that happen to some fighters when they achieve a certain amount of success and it is important that doesn't become us.
"A fight with Jacobs would definitely motivate Gennady. I think it's a great fight to sell. It's a great fight for the fans. It would be a great fight and it's an opportunity for a great story in Danny. He's the second best middleweight in the world right now and he's on a roll. He has had some dramatic knockouts and in his mind he believes he can win. We're not just saying that to promote the fight. People know this guy is legitimate."
