Promoter Tom Loeffler has revealed the reason for the current stand-off in negotiations between ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, with the proposed-rematch between the pair still yet to be finalised.
Loeffler, who has guided the career of Golovkin through the most successful period of his career, stated that Golovkin initially accepted what he now feels is “an unfair purse split” for the mooted-September bout.
“GGG originally agreed to an unfair purse split for the rematch.” Loeffler said to RingTV.com.
After escaping with what many felt was a fortuitous majority draw in their first fight in September 2017, Mexican superstar Alvarez would shock the boxing world in March with two failed drug tests for the banned substance clenbuterol.
With the scheduled May bout cancelled pending an investigation into Alvarez’s doping test (he would later claim ‘meat contamination’), Golovkin would go on to demolish career super welterweight Vanes Matirosyan on May 5th.
However, after seemingly being vindicated by a hair follicle sample, ‘Canelo’ and promoter Oscar De La Hoya have taken something of a hard line in negotiations, insisting that the failed tests bear no impact on terms for the return fight. Loeffler, unsurprisingly, disagrees.
“After Canelo tested positive twice and got suspended, GGG asked for a better split. He wants, and deserves, more than 35%. But he wants the fight.”
Though the bout has been in jeopardy for some time now, Loeffler remains hopeful that a deal can be done, labelling the bout “the biggest fight for boxing”.
“I’m still in discussions with HBO and with Eric Gomez.” Loeffler said.
“Whatever posturing there is from both sides right now, this is still the biggest fight for HBO, for Canelo and GGG, and for boxing.”
Should the bout not come to fruition, Golovkin has been rumoured to face Japan’s WBA ‘Regular’ World champion Ryota Murata, as well as an undisputed title clash with WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders.
After apparently turning their back on negotiations recently, ‘Canelo’ has been linked with a return bout in September against Gary ‘Spilke’ O’Sullivan as well as being linked with Saunders also.
With a very public round of negotiations still in full-flow, it remains to be seen whether a deal can be concluded between the two camps.