Soliman and N'Dam in the mix for Golovkin Nov. 2nd

Main Events boss Kathy Duva explained her side to me Saturday: "In a nutshell, an offer was made and I asked for the weekend to consider it. I was told afternoon that the Golovkin fight has been offered to Hassan] N'Dam for the same money that was offered for Curtis, and that N'Dam has graciously accepted. This turn of events leaves me even more convinced that my asking price for Stevens is correct. "After all, in New York City, an articulate, American, one-punch KO artist from Brooklyn, who is exciting to watch, talks trash, has created tremendous buzz coming off a spectacular nationally televised KO win, has won three fights that were viewed by a cumulative audience of over 5 million people in the U.S. since January, and who has an actual chance to beat Golovkin, is objectively worth more than a non-English speaking Frenchman who was last seen in Brooklyn being knocked down seven times. "It is called 'marketability.' Stevens has it. N'Dam does not. If HBO doesn't think Stevens is worth more than N'Dam, then so be it. Curtis can keep building his name and gaining experience on NBC for the time being. Of course Stevens is calling Golovkin out, and of course he would love to fight on Nov. 2. However, it is my job to build value and make Curtis into something more than an 'opponent.' If K2 and HBO want to make another appearance fight for Golovkin, that is their right. If that is the case, they should definitely go with N'Dam." Actually, N'Dam, who hasn't yet been approved by HBO from what I understand, was dropped six times (but who's counting, right?) when he lost his belt by decision to "Kid Chocolate" Peter Quillin in October. But as in any juicy negotiation, there seems to be misinformation being spread around -- well, depending on whom you believe. "We are speaking with HBO and looking for the best available opponent that will get in the ring with GGG," said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions. "Stevens doesn't seem as excited to fight GGG as he was before his last fight, we have not made an offer to N'Dam. I think he is a viable opponent, but have not made an offer to him yet." "Yet," perhaps, being the operative word. Loeffler also said that he got an email from Sam Soliman's team saying they would be interested in taking a fight with Golovkin. That's not a fight HBO is likely to approve given Soliman's less-than-fan-friendly style, but the more names Loeffler dumps into the mix, the more he figures he can leverage Main Events to drop its price so that Stevens isn't aced out of the fight. But Duva is a great poker player after thirty-something years in the boxing business. "We have a plan for Curtis. We will not deviate from that plan for a price. But we will not deviate from that plan for the same money that it takes to get N'Dam," said Duva, adding that she, K2 and HBO "are not miles apart" in their figures. Duva said if the fight with Golovkin isn't made that Stevens will fight on NBC in November or December. My feeling is that, when the sausage ultimately gets made, we'll have a tasty GGG-Stevens fight Nov. 2. http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/post/_/id/4975/golovkin-stevens-camps-wrangle

Comments (20)

personally, at this point, see MW as all about GGG/Quillin/Martinez as long as GGG isn't fighting one of those 2, just stay busy don't sit on the shelf calling out names but not working just want GGG in the ring as much as possible until he gets a shot Martinez' time is up, if they fight GGG finishes him actually, GGG-Murray sounds pretty good after what Murray did vs Sergio

12y ago

Mike_Haynes

I think either of THESE two fighting GGG would be entertaining while they last. I imagine Soliman will smother him and stay busy - but get KTFO in 5. N'dam learned from fighting Quillin - he may yield to the GGG power early but box and steal his fair share of rounds after surviving and go the distance....but lose a wide enough decision. As for Stevens, HBO should have a Saturday double header with GGG fight as the main event and Stevens on the early fight...then get them on a 2014 Mayweather PPV as the lead up fight. Annnnnd I think GGG finishes Stevens in 10.

12y ago

Hougigo

Kathy Duva does this for a living, i'm pretty sure she has a better sense of negotiation then you or I. It is because of the sense that the Golovkin team is desperate that they think they can get more. I does not matter what you or I value Stevens at, only what the promoter is willing to pay. Would you accept 300k if you were confident of getting more? This is the art of negotiation, they may end up having played it badly but that is the way of things. I suspect they probably can get a bit more money. If that happens I will not really care one bit. They will have misread the situation and paid the price for it. They want to roll that dice, fine with them. That only works though if Stevens was their only option. HBO could pay for N'dam to host in November and pullout of December if they don't think it's worth the money. If they think they can boil up a better fight, they can try. They definitely need to step up in opposition though. Even though they said Lemeiux as a potential, he got KO'd by Rubio and decisioned by Alcine. If anything, he should try and fight Rubio to have some sort of validation

12y ago

Humean

Kathy Duva does this for a living, i'm pretty sure she has a better sense of negotiation then you or I. It is because of the sense that the Golovkin team is desperate that they think they can get more. I does not matter what you or I value Stevens at, only what the promoter is willing to pay. Would you accept 300k if you were confident of getting more? This is the art of negotiation, they may end up having played it badly but that is the way of things. I suspect they probably can get a bit more money. This is the fight he was screaming about, "send the offer". So they sent him an offer beyond his wildest expectations, and he's gonna haggle? He keeps haggling, and ends up on NBC for 20k. What are you gonna say if that happens? If that happens I will not really care one bit. They will have misread the situation and paid the price for it.

12y ago

Hougigo

What are you going to say if Stevens gets the fight and a larger purse than the first offer? Will you admit you were wrong for attacking Stevens? Same question to others who keep attacking Stevens, attacking him for simply negotiating. Also beggars can't be choosers. He's the one that was begging for the fight and he received a more than generous offer to fight him. If he turns it down, good for him for sticking to his guns. Go on and keep fighting on NBC and maybe something will happen, run that network. If they're serious about N'dam and Soiman, that's two more names to Geale/Barker and Mora. next year doesn't get any better. If Rubio is the full champion by this year, GGG might gun for him, Pirog will most likely be back from injury and Murray will have his Visa.

12y ago

HeroBando

What are you going to say if Stevens gets the fight and a larger purse than the first offer? Will you admit you were wrong for attacking Stevens? Same question to others who keep attacking Stevens, attacking him for simply negotiating. This is the fight he was screaming about, "send the offer". So they sent him an offer beyond his wildest expectations, and he's gonna haggle? He keeps haggling, and ends up on NBC for 20k. What are you gonna say if that happens?

12y ago

Hougigo

What are you going to say if Stevens gets the fight and a larger purse than the first offer? Will you admit you were wrong for attacking Stevens? Same question to others who keep attacking Stevens, attacking him for simply negotiating. Good for him, but him getting even initially offered 300k is ridiculous, him getting paid more than that is just down right retarded. How are you going to offer an NBC fighter more money than somebody who's already been on HBO multiple times and a two time world title challenger? Because he's from NY? The situation isn't even that smart to begin with. You want to negotiate more money from one of the largest purses he's offered to an opponent? Better yet, Golovkin's only made 350k max from fighting and you want to negotiate to make the same if not more? Negotiating would make sense if he was offered 100 or 150k and they felt HBO prime time could offer a bit more, but 300k when the champ doesn't even make that much leaves no room for negotiation

12y ago

Humean

Fat Dan agrees that turning down the 300k offer was smart... because the first offer isn't the real offer.... Yes, they planned on paying Stevens more than Golovkin What are you going to say if Stevens gets the fight and a larger purse than the first offer? Will you admit you were wrong for attacking Stevens? Same question to others who keep attacking Stevens, attacking him for simply negotiating.

12y ago

STREET_CLEANER

If a Mora fight happens even if GGG wins it would be an ugly win. Somebody is going to bite for that purse

12y ago

Hougigo

Fat Dan agrees that turning down the 300k offer was smart... because the first offer isn't the real offer.... Yes, they planned on paying Stevens more than Golovkin

12y ago

Humean

They clearly double teamed you, why else would you hate them and like everyone else that ducks/fights/possible will fight them? :lol1: You have to be Stevens manager, otherwise stop trying to justify this duck. You're Frank ducketts but less of a troll and without the "lmfao" Isn't it very premature to talk of ducking when the fight may still happen? In fact I think it is very likely to happen.

12y ago

Russian_Crushin

Did Matthysse and GGG double team you? Its like youre stax on deck and they are floyd and broner. They clearly double teamed you, why else would you hate them and like everyone else that ducks/fights/possible will fight them? :lol1: You have to be Stevens manager, otherwise stop trying to justify this duck. You're Frank ducketts but less of a troll and without the "lmfao"

12y ago

BafanaBafana

Neither of these guys will get the fight. The only possible options are: Geale/Barker winner Stevens Mora I don't think the Geale/Barker winner will fight again this year, that fight will be close and both guys will be worn out. I can't see them going from one big fight to another in two months notice. We'll probably get GGG v. Stevens/Mora/N'Dam in November and some stiff in the Monaco card.

12y ago

The_Big_Dunn

I think it's official, Dunn is Kathy Duva Did Matthysse and GGG double team you? Its like youre stax on deck and they are floyd and broner.

12y ago

Hougigo

Geale is going to win though. He expressed interest in becoming a "star" in the US. Yeah, I don't know if that ban would be enforced in America or not but regardless he's not getting on HBO! If Geale wins, I hope he sticks true to his word. He said he didn't want to face Golovkin straight away and wanted a voluntary defense. He got two and one's on HBO in America

12y ago

Hougigo

Neither of these guys will get the fight. The only possible options are: Geale/Barker winner Stevens Mora Barker would take the belt back to the UK for a fight, or so said hearn. Stevens *****footing, HBO doesn't like Mora. N'dam and Soliman are just extra names added... isn't Soiman on a 9 month ban too?

12y ago

Hougigo

CURTIS STEVENS ‏@Showtime_curtis 5m IN LOVING MEMORY OF GENNADY GOLOVKIN https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRfnXXOCYAAr6ZA.jpg:large Still using the November date too

12y ago

Evil_Abed

CURTIS STEVENS ‏@Showtime_curtis 5m IN LOVING MEMORY OF GENNADY GOLOVKIN https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRfnXXOCYAAr6ZA.jpg:large

12y ago

Russian_Crushin

I think it's official, Dunn is Kathy Duva

12y ago

Russian_Crushin

Fcuk N'Dam. The guy ducks golovkin, waits for a free belt, gets it, loses I right away and then sits around for a year waiting for a title shot? I hate fighters like that, let him work for it

12y ago