Not much longer for GGG to decide on the IBF strap

Maybe spite, maybe just for the sake of another 8 months - Golovkin's gonna be 37 come next May. Maybe a bit of both. Either way once GGG starts dropping belts it's a pretty good indication he'll wait as long as they make him, after all, Gennady's in the same boat with regards to potential opponents. Ain't a good look in my book, however understandable. It would definitely be out of spite. Making him wait until he's older would be out of spite. If he drops his IBF, only to try to unify with Saunders and win the WBO, that isn't that big of a deal - to me. I'd understand. It's a bigger fight, more $$ (2nd highest payday), and he'd be unifying.

yes. its simple there is not contract signed to fight clenelo after vanes so go with your mandatory and keep your belt. There's also the hope of a unification with Saunders. That will guarantee GGG his second biggest pay day. I really don't think it's that big of a deal to relinquish a belt at the age of 36, in order to win another belt, all for the sake of unifying - while getting a huge pay day. If that isn't there, then yes, mandatory is the way to go. And to be honest, GGG beats Sergiy just like he did Lemieux. People are turning Sergiy into this guy that GGG is all of a sudden afraid of. Had this been 2015 when not many people were clamoring to fight GGG AND the Canelo fight wasn't looming, and Gennady decided to fight his IBF mandatory (Sergiy) people wouldn't think anything of it nor think Sergiy was a huge threat.

Exactly. I'm all about fairness. If I'd want the IBF to enforce mandatories with others, I'd have to expect the same when it comes to Gennady. And you're right, Canelo could definitely string him along. Because at this moment, from the outside looking in (obviously of no inside knowledge of negotiations going on between GGG and GBP) it doesn't look like a sure shot at all. What's funny is, if they did string him along, it would be out of spite. There's absolutely no reason to not want to get this fight done now. Because the fact of the matter is: there isn't a soul Canelo can fight at 154, 160 or 168 (how it's currently constructed) that will garner the $$ and attention he will get from fighting Gennady. Maybe spite, maybe just for the sake of another 8 months - Golovkin's gonna be 37 come next May. Maybe a bit of both. Either way once GGG starts dropping belts it's a pretty good indication he'll wait as long as they make him, after all, Gennady's in the same boat with regards to potential opponents. Ain't a good look in my book, however understandable.

Exactly. I'm all about fairness. If I'd want the IBF to enforce mandatories with others, I'd have to expect the same when it comes to Gennady. And you're right, Canelo could definitely string him along. Because at this moment, from the outside looking in (obviously of no inside knowledge of negotiations going on between GGG and GBP) it doesn't look like a sure shot at all. What's funny is, if they did string him along, it would be out of spite. There's absolutely no reason to not want to get this fight done now. Because the fact of the matter is: there isn't a soul Canelo can fight at 154, 160 or 168 (how it's currently constructed) that will garner the $$ and attention he will get from fighting Gennady.yes. its simple there is not contract signed to fight clenelo after vanes so go with your mandatory and keep your belt.

Oh yeah. Absolutely the IBF are doing the right thing. I've always maintained that the only useful purpose the sanctioning orgs serve is to make top fighters fight their mandatories once in a while. Golovkin's been amongst my favourite fighters over the last 5+ years but he doesn't deserve any special treatment, and no fighter should get to hold the belts hostage and get in the way of the new talent getting their shot. And yeah, whilst I'd much prefer him to fight all his mandatories and attempt to unify (and that's a gauntlet I'd not expect him to run without taking an L) it's absolutely understandable that he's thinking about his retirement fund about now. Problem is there's every chance that even if he drops his belts (or at least the IBF) Canelo's gonna keep him waiting anyway - quite possibly stringing him along for a while first - probabaly at least til next May, which will just leave Golovkin looking rather daft. Exactly. I'm all about fairness. If I'd want the IBF to enforce mandatories with others, I'd have to expect the same when it comes to Gennady. And you're right, Canelo could definitely string him along. Because at this moment, from the outside looking in (obviously of no inside knowledge of negotiations going on between GGG and GBP) it doesn't look like a sure shot at all. What's funny is, if they did string him along, it would be out of spite. There's absolutely no reason to not want to get this fight done now. Because the fact of the matter is: there isn't a soul Canelo can fight at 154, 160 or 168 (how it's currently constructed) that will garner the $$ and attention he will get from fighting Gennady.

Yeah. Daryl Peoples doesn't seem like he'd give an exception for ANYONE outside of Sergiy. Not Saunders, not Canelo, not even Floyd if he came back. Only way he'd be able to get those fights without fighting Sergiy is to 1. give up the belt or 2. hope Sergiy will accept step aside money IBF is just doing it's job and maintaining their tough stance on mandatories. Though I don't like it, considering GGG's age, the timing, etc - it's completely fair game. This is what happens when you own multiple belts. You will have to defend them each. Exceptions have been granted, now get back to business. Though he said his goal is to become undisputed - at age 36, if he went for the money (if the Canelo fight was a for sure thing) I wouldn't blame him one bit. I believe all older fighters should go for the money. I didn't blame Cotto for choosing to fight Canelo over GGG. It was his biggest pay day since his Floyd match in 2012. It was 2x that pay out, with ppv upside. He walked away with $20m. As oppose to fighting GGG, where he would not have made as much. Marginally less than he did against Floyd. Cotto had just turned 35. There were no other BIG fights available for him that would allow him make anywhere near $10, let alone $20. Oh yeah. Absolutely the IBF are doing the right thing. I've always maintained that the only useful purpose the sanctioning orgs serve is to make top fighters fight their mandatories once in a while. Golovkin's been amongst my favourite fighters over the last 5+ years but he doesn't deserve any special treatment, and no fighter should get to hold the belts hostage and get in the way of the new talent getting their shot. And yeah, whilst I'd much prefer him to fight all his mandatories and attempt to unify (and that's a gauntlet I'd not expect him to run without taking an L) it's absolutely understandable that he's thinking about his retirement fund about now. Problem is there's every chance that even if he drops his belts (or at least the IBF) Canelo's gonna keep him waiting anyway - quite possibly stringing him along for a while first - probabaly at least til next May, which will just leave Golovkin looking rather daft.

if he chooses money hes a ducker if he chooses title hes an idiot we got him now! This it's decided if he truly is man of his word and cares about legacy or just a business man (like he accused canelo to be) Because beating his mando would do more for his legacy than Beating Canelo...yeah sure buddy

Usually it would. It may depend on the language of the conditions they've set on allowing him to fight Vanes first though. ... well it seems pretty clear cut, although it doesn't formally specify that Golovkin couldn't request to fight a unification instead of his mando once the Vanes fight is out of the way. I'd say Big Lou ain't likely to take that without a fight though. Yeah. Daryl Peoples doesn't seem like he'd give an exception for ANYONE outside of Sergiy. Not Saunders, not Canelo, not even Floyd if he came back. Only way he'd be able to get those fights without fighting Sergiy is to 1. give up the belt or 2. hope Sergiy will accept step aside money IBF is just doing it's job and maintaining their tough stance on mandatories. Though I don't like it, considering GGG's age, the timing, etc - it's completely fair game. This is what happens when you own multiple belts. You will have to defend them each. Exceptions have been granted, now get back to business. Though he said his goal is to become undisputed - at age 36, if he went for the money (if the Canelo fight was a for sure thing) I wouldn't blame him one bit. I believe all older fighters should go for the money. I didn't blame Cotto for choosing to fight Canelo over GGG. It was his biggest pay day since his Floyd match in 2012. It was 2x that pay out just as a purse. Plus it had ppv upside. He walked away with $20m. As oppose to fighting GGG, where he would not have made as much. Marginally less than he did against Floyd. Cotto had just turned 35. There were no other BIG fights available for him that would allow him make anywhere near $10, let alone $20.

Does a unification trump a mandatory? I thought I read that somewhere at least with one of the sanctioning orgs. (Maybe WBC??) Usually it would. It may depend on the language of the conditions they've set on allowing him to fight Vanes first though. Hmmm.. let's see... Golovkin-Martirosyan must take place on or before May 5, 2018. Golovkin must agree in writing before the fight that he will next fight the IBF middleweight mandatory within 90 days of the May 5 bout or by Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. Golovkin must agree in writing before the May 5 fight "to indemnify, hold harmless and otherwise reimburse the IBF for any legal fees or other expenses related to the granting of this exception, including, but not limited to, the cost attendant to any resultant litigation." Golovkin must "comply with all of the conditions set forth in the granting of this exception" or formal sanction won't be issued for the May 5 bout http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/23338914/ibf-grants-gennady-golovkin-exception-fight-vanes-martirosyan-says-ggg-wins-fight-sergey-derevyanchenko-next-keep-title-belt ... well it seems pretty clear cut, although it doesn't formally specify that Golovkin couldn't request to fight a unification instead of his mando once the Vanes fight is out of the way. I'd say Big Lou ain't likely to take that without a fight though.

Does a unification trump a mandatory? I thought I read that somewhere at least with one of the sanctioning orgs. (Maybe WBC??) IBF pretty much said Derevyanchenko next or get stripped. I don't think they're in the mood to give Golovkin an exception for ****.

Yes. But he was have to fight his mandatory first. Does a unification trump a mandatory? I thought I read that somewhere at least with one of the sanctioning orgs. (Maybe WBC??)

Simple, he should fight Saunders for all the marbles. Yes. But he was have to fight his mandatory first.

Simple, he should fight Saunders for all the marbles.

I thought the IBF was very fair to GGG on this one given Derevchenkyo deserves the shot he earned.

Whats GGG gotta do to avoid losing the belt? Agree to fight Sergiy before his fight with Martirosyan.

I think hes going to have to drop the belt. If he not going to fight for it then it needs to be up for grabs for fighters to have there turn to win the title. I cant see GGG giving up on the money fight to unify.

GGG will probably do what the fans want like he always did in his career. If the majority of the boxing fans want him to punish Canelo and the fight is possible next he does it. If Canelo will be making excuses again then GGG will either try to unify with Saunders or defend his IBF belt. The haters on the other side will always hate, because they are frustrated with their own lives and hate on a man that will never ever even recognize them. (And on top of that they add to his popularity, Floyd made a whole career because of haters) The Stubhub is empty bro.. Why you think Chocolatito bailed on that lame ass card? remaining tickets will be comped. Guaranteed.

Does anybody have any proof that the GGG/Canelo 2 fight takes place in September? .. Canelo more than likely takes a tune up after a suspension and knee surgery. In that case Lil g gonna have to wait til May 2019. He better off keeping his belt and going for undisputed. His obsession with the Ginger is downright disgusting.

THis ^. Although since he became the WBC mando back in '14 and first got a scent of those big $s it's clear what his priority has been. However I'd be disappointed if he didn't fight his mando at this point not because it'd somehow prove his integrity (although I would prefer it for that reason too) but simply because it's about time he took charge of his career again instead of letting it be dictated by the whim or fortune of another fighter. Honestly if he does opt to drop the strap to fight Canelo I almost hope the Ginger One puts him on hold for another 8 months or a year just to see if it finally drives some sense into him. I really do like Golovkin, I just hate the way he's been managed and can't stand the fans that back his management they they were their own family. As I've always said, true Golovkin fans should be disgusted with his management. Imagine what a modern legend he might be if he was handled more like Loma and allowed to shoot for the stars.

Really curious to see what happens. If he drops it, then this "unification is our priority" business they used all these years to justify crappy fights is busted. I'd like to see him do it. It would show strength, show that he doesn't need Canelo. If he dumps the belt, he's just bending over for Canelo again and that would be disappointing. THis ^. Although since he became the WBC mando back in '14 and first got a scent of those big $s it's clear what his priority has been. However I'd be disappointed if he didn't fight his mando at this point not because it'd somehow prove his integrity (although I would prefer it for that reason too) but simply because it's about time he took charge of his career again instead of letting it be dictated by the whim or fortune of another fighter. Honestly if he does opt to drop the strap to fight Canelo I almost hope the Ginger One puts him on hold for another 8 months or a year just to see if it finally drives some sense into him.