By Edward Chaykovsky
Even Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom Sport, had his doubts when reading the numerous statements being made by Chris Eubank Jr. (22-1, 17 KOs), who is demanding a September fight with IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (35-0, 32KO).
Hearn even went as far as to hold a private meeting with Eubank and his famous father/trainer, Chris Eubank Sr., to confirm the legitimacy of their demands for a September fight with Golovkin.
"I asked them behind closed doors whether it was a joke but they told me 'It's real - make the fight'. And over the last couple of weeks that's what we've been doing," Hearn told Sky Sports.
Once he was given the green light, Hearn started negotiating with K2 Promotions' Tom Loeffler, who promotes Golovkin. According to Hearn, the two sides have agreed on most of the fine points in the deal
Eubank Jr. will have to do his part next Saturday night, when he defends his British middleweight title against unbeaten Tom Doran (17-0, 7 KOs) on the Anthony Joshua-Dominic Breazeale undercard at the O2 Arena in London.
As long as Eubank comes out on top on Saturday, and without injury, Hearn believes his boxer could very well fight Golovkin in September.
"We're in a position now where we haven't agreed terms but we're well on the way to agreeing terms with Golovkin for a September fight with Chris Eubank Jr," Hearn said.
"He must beat Tom Doran - it's a defence of his British title. We've just seen Doran coming off the back of a fight of the year contender against Luke Keeler. He can really, really punch and if Eubank takes his eye off the ball he can forget about the likes of Golovkin. But certainly that fight is ramping up speed and don't be surprised to see Eubank-Golovkin in September."
Golovkin's handlers are still talking with Golden Boy Promotions for a showdown with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, who returns on September 17th. But that highly anticipated fight is not expected to take place in 2016.
