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Lance Pugmire
April 11th, 2016
This is that big money fight at 168 they've been waiting for.
April 11th, 2016
Gennady Golovkin’s promoter has learned well that finding an opponent for a middleweight champion who’s knocked out 21 consecutive opponents is not an easy task.
So Tom Loeffler was in Las Vegas on Saturday night to watch Gilberto Ramirez fight veteran Arthur Abraham of Germany. Ramirez (34-0) impressed, became the first fighter from Mexico to win a super-middleweight world title — sweeping every round and capturing, by unanimous decision, the World Boxing Organization belt.
“My job for Gennady is to make sure we have as many options as possible,” Loeffler told The Times on Monday. “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,” Loeffler said. “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.”
The optimal choice is Alvarez. With Manny Pacquiao joining Floyd Mayweather Jr. in retirement, Alvarez is boxing’s biggest name.
But there is speculation, including that by Arum last week, that Alvarez won’t fight Golovkin.
“Bob doesn’t promote Canelo,” Loeffler said. “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 crossed paths with Cowboys Stadium owner Jerry Jones at Saturday’s fight at MGM Grand.
“He’s definitely interested in having Gennady fight there, and it’s a natural location for the fight with Canelo,” Loeffler said. “But we have to make the fight first.”
So Tom Loeffler was in Las Vegas on Saturday night to watch Gilberto Ramirez fight veteran Arthur Abraham of Germany. Ramirez (34-0) impressed, became the first fighter from Mexico to win a super-middleweight world title — sweeping every round and capturing, by unanimous decision, the World Boxing Organization belt.
“My job for Gennady is to make sure we have as many options as possible,” Loeffler told The Times on Monday. “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,” Loeffler said. “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.”
The optimal choice is Alvarez. With Manny Pacquiao joining Floyd Mayweather Jr. in retirement, Alvarez is boxing’s biggest name.
But there is speculation, including that by Arum last week, that Alvarez won’t fight Golovkin.
“Bob doesn’t promote Canelo,” Loeffler said. “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 crossed paths with Cowboys Stadium owner Jerry Jones at Saturday’s fight at MGM Grand.
“He’s definitely interested in having Gennady fight there, and it’s a natural location for the fight with Canelo,” Loeffler said. “But we have to make the fight first.”
This is that big money fight at 168 they've been waiting for.
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