Golovkin's Promoter: Until Canelo Decides, It's Hard To Speculate

By Edward Chaykovsky

Tom Loeffler, promoter for IBO/WBA/IBF middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (34-0, 31KOs), is not ready to rule out the possibility of a fall fight with WBC champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (46-1-1, 32KOs).

Golovkin defends his world titles this coming Saturday night against undefeated mandatory challenger Dominic Wade at The Forum in Los Angeles, California.

Canelo defends his title two weeks later against Amir Khan at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Golovkin is the mandatory challenger to Canelo's WBC belt. Should both boxers win their upcoming fights, very few in the industry expect Canelo to defend against Golovkin in the fall.

The two sides have been arguing for months over the contract weight. Canelo wants a catch-weight of 155-pounds and Golovkin is refusing to go down any lower than the middleweight limit of 160.

“Everyone can have an opinion. Until Canelo makes a decision, it’s up to him … and hard to speculate. I know Canelo is a proud champion and not afraid to take risks. Canelo is one of my favorite fighters. We have a great relationship with [his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya’s] Golden Boy. It’s nothing personal, but Gennady wants the WBC title, whether he wins it or is anointed,” Loeffler told the Los Angeles Times.

If there is no option of Canelo, then WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders would become the next option, and then WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez could become a realistic scenario.

“My job for Gennady is to make sure we have as many options as possible,” Loeffler said. “Clearly, to watch the Ramirez fight,  thought he looked good. If you can dominate an established veteran who’s had a great career … the only question with Ramirez was his lack of experience on the world-championship level, but dominating an established champion — literally pitching a shutout — he has established himself as one of the best new champions in the sport.”

“If Canelo or Saunders won’t fight, Ramirez is the best option.… I’ve learned with Gennady I need a Plan A, B and C … so we can get a date. Ramirez would be the biggest fighter [at nearly 6-foot-2] that Gennady has fought. He has a following and gained new fans Saturday night. It’d be a huge event, to combine that with the momentum and energy Gennady has. Gennady just needs to win April 23.”