Why are the media calling this fight "Canelo vs. Golovkin" when GGG is the champ?

Yes but GBP is the lead promoter and this is an HBO PPV fight that is likely staged in Texas or Vegas. Canelo is the top GBP fighter, highest profile HBO fighter, and the house fighter in both Texas and Vegas. The primary advertisers will be Canelo sponsors like Tecate. This is a Canelo fight. You know this OP. Yes, obviously Canelo is the lead dog. But the divergence here isnt as severe as say a Pac-Horn, or a Canelo-Smith, or a Mayweather-Bruselles scenario, where the B-side is an absolute nobody. This is a mega-fight, BOTH sides have recognition, and to an extent BOTH sides are going to demand some level of respect..... My only point was that these issues would have already been ironed out in the contract, and definitely would NOT be left up to HBO or anyone else to decide. I remember when I worked on Jones-Tarver 3, there was even a contract clause that mentioned if the venue had dressing rooms of unequal size, which camp would get the larger dressing room. Some of this stuff would make you shake your head.......lol

Canelo is the challenger to Golovkin's titles, so why is his name first? This "A-side" nonsense is disrespectful to boxing and its traditions. And please don't say he's the lineal champ because that is an absolute joke in this case considering he didn't even beat a middleweight to win (or defend) the title, fought at 155lbs catchweight each time and then vacated his actual world title and moved to another weight class. It doesn't matter. What matters is who wins.

This reminded me of posters I've seen of that Batman movie where Jack Nicholson was the Joker. Nicholson, as the bigger star, was always listed first despite that Keaton played the titular character. http://www.filmquadposters.co.uk/posters-thumb/batman.jpg There is no question that Canelo's name should be first. It's not a snub to GGG's status as champion to recognize that Canelo is the main draw. Exactly. We are in the era of stars on HBO. As I said to OP, this is a Canelo fight, he is th star attraction.

that is not known at this time. Nobody knows WHAT canelo demanded. But it really doesnt matter. Its commonplace in big fights to negotiate all that stuff, whose name is first on the poster, whose photo is on the left side of the poster, who sits on the left side of the dais at the presser, whose logos get to be on the backdrop at the presser, who weighs first, who walks first, who gets introduced first, whose banners get to hang on the light grid, etc etc, etc. ALL of those things are negotiated in a big fight. Yes but GBP is the lead promoter and this is an HBO PPV fight that is likely staged in Texas or Vegas. Canelo is the top GBP fighter, highest profile HBO fighter, and the house fighter in both Texas and Vegas. The primary advertisers will be Canelo sponsors like Tecate. This is a Canelo fight. You know this OP.

The fighter isn't demanding it the networks and advertisers want the name of the bigger star 1st so it attracts more casual fans. You don't advertise a movie by listing the co-star 1st. that is not known at this time. Nobody knows WHAT canelo demanded. But it really doesnt matter. Its commonplace in big fights to negotiate all that stuff, whose name is first on the poster, whose photo is on the left side of the poster, who sits on the left side of the dais at the presser, whose logos get to be on the backdrop at the presser, who weighs first, who walks first, who gets introduced first, whose banners get to hang on the light grid, etc etc, etc. ALL of those things are negotiated in a big fight.

The fighter isn't demanding it the networks and advertisers want the name of the bigger star 1st so it attracts more casual fans. You don't advertise a movie by listing the co-star 1st. This reminded me of posters I've seen of that Batman movie where Jack Nicholson was the Joker. Nicholson, as the bigger star, was always listed first despite that Keaton played the titular character. http://www.filmquadposters.co.uk/posters-thumb/batman.jpg There is no question that Canelo's name should be first. It's not a snub to GGG's status as champion to recognize that Canelo is the main draw.

It's precisely because I'm not new to the sport that this kind of thing stands out. It's a product of the modern era, to negotiate having the more popular fighter's name read first irrespective of who is champion and challenger. Throughout boxing history the champion's name has always come first. I didn't like it when Cotto or Mayweather did it and I don't like it now. It's a diva-ish demand. It's not like it would hurt the promotion, Canelo's name would still be on there. Obviously I understand the reason behind it. I just don't agree with it. The fighter isn't demanding it the networks and advertisers want the name of the bigger star 1st so it attracts more casual fans. You don't advertise a movie by listing the co-star 1st.

Are you new to the sport? It's precisely because I'm not new to the sport that this kind of thing stands out. It's a product of the modern era, to negotiate having the more popular fighter's name read first irrespective of who is champion and challenger. Throughout boxing history the champion's name has always come first. I didn't like it when Cotto or Mayweather did it and I don't like it now. It's a diva-ish demand. It's not like it would hurt the promotion, Canelo's name would still be on there. Obviously I understand the reason behind it. I just don't agree with it.

Nelo the A side

Canelo is the challenger to Golovkin's titles, so why is his name first? This "A-side" nonsense is disrespectful to boxing and its traditions. And please don't say he's the lineal champ because that is an absolute joke in this case considering he didn't even beat a middleweight to win (or defend) the title, fought at 155lbs catchweight each time and then vacated his actual world title and moved to another weight class. Oh man does this really need to be explained to you?

its nothing new. look at the posters for Mayweather-Castillo, or Delahoya-Sturm, or a hundred others. The better known fighter often gets the top billing, regardless of whose titles are on the line...... and I would suspect on fight night, GGG will walk first, but be introduced last......

I think they had to, for marketing purposes. I wouldn't be surprised if Golovkin's side even preferred it. Canelo has the name and $$ is good for everyone.

Even if cantnelo gets knocked the fawk out he will still be the bigger name

Because the only reason GGG wants Canelo is for the $$$. Canelo knows this. Notice that everybody is calling out Canelo even though he isn't the champ. Exactly just like super MW and lightweights were calling out Floyd. They want that paper

Canelo is the challenger to Golovkin's titles, so why is his name first? This "A-side" nonsense is disrespectful to boxing and its traditions. And please don't say he's the lineal champ because that is an absolute joke in this case considering he didn't even beat a middleweight to win (or defend) the title, fought at 155lbs catchweight each time and then vacated his actual world title and moved to another weight class. Who brings in more money? It's Saul not gennnady plain and simple bro hate it or love it

Are you new to the sport? Canelo is the clear A-side. GGG is a star in his own right but his belts are not as big of negotiating chips as Canelo's consistent ability to sell PPVs though no one else can.

Canelo is the challenger to Golovkin's titles, so why is his name first? This "A-side" nonsense is disrespectful to boxing and its traditions. And please don't say he's the lineal champ because that is an absolute joke in this case considering he didn't even beat a middleweight to win (or defend) the title, fought at 155lbs catchweight each time and then vacated his actual world title and moved to another weight class. Ggg him self knows canelo is more important than the titles, dont take my word , ask billy joe saunders..

Shrug, Canelo is the bigger name. Welcome to business world and prize fighting.

It amazes me the inflated sense of importance, greatness and value ggg fans have of him.

Canelo is the challenger to Golovkin's titles, so why is his name first? This "A-side" nonsense is disrespectful to boxing and its traditions. And please don't say he's the lineal champ because that is an absolute joke in this case considering he didn't even beat a middleweight to win (or defend) the title, fought at 155lbs catchweight each time and then vacated his actual world title and moved to another weight class. Because the only reason GGG wants Canelo is for the $$$. Canelo knows this. Notice that everybody is calling out Canelo even though he isn't the champ.