Golden Boy Promotions chief Oscar De La Hoya has announced that a deal has been struck between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KO’s) and Gennady Golovkin (38-0-1, 34 KO’s) for a blockbuster rematch on September 15th.
The announcement comes after weeks of negotiations between the two camps, but it would appear that a breakthrough has been made, with reports that Golovkin had been offered a 42.5% split of the money-spinning purse.
After setting a deadline for promoter Tom Loeffler to accept terms for the rematch, De La Hoya would post a series of tweets throughout the day, seemingly with the intent of goading Golovkin and promoter Tom Loeffler into making a decision.
Tic-Toc, Tic-Toc. If any fight freaks see @GGGBoxing in Russia, perhaps you can lend him a pen. #whereisGGG
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 13, 2018
t-minus two hours. Somehow I think @eddiehearn @frankwarren_tv and Al Haymon won't be as difficult to reach as @gggboxing #whereisggg
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 13, 2018
Half hour to decide if the biggest fight in boxing will take place. #whereisggg
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 13, 2018
With rumours circulating that the bout would not be finalised, De La Hoya would reveal that terms had indeed been agreed, posting a tweet declaring that there had been a “deal” to bring two of the sport’s premier combatants together once again.
I’m happy to inform that we have a fight September 15!!!! #CaneloGGG2
Feliz De informar que si tenemos pelea Septiembre 15!!! #CaneloGGG2 pic.twitter.com/gI3QmR0eXe— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 13, 2018
After a contentious draw in their first outing, followed by the heightened acrimony between the two camps after ‘Canelo’ failed a drugs test ahead of their initial May rematch, the bout on September 15th comes with a little added spice.
With Golovkin having been stripped of his IBF World middleweight crown in recent weeks, and ‘Canelo’ removed as ‘Ring Magazine’ champion just yesterday, on paper the rematch has less at stake than the first encounter.
However, the hype and intrigue following recent weeks have added a new element to the promotion, and fight fans will look forward to another high-class match-up between the two best middleweights in the world.
