In its eagerness to make the mandatory fight between WBA World Super middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (36-0, 33 KOs), the undefeated knockout artist from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, and WBA World middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs (32-1, 29 KOs), the “Miracle Man” fighting out of Brooklyn, New York, the World Boxing Association has extended the purse bid deadline in the belief that the extra time will enable the two parties to reach an agreement.
“If they can reach an agreement by October 12, we just ask for contracts,” said WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, according to the Los Angeles Times. “If they can’t, I’ll call for a purse bid within ten days and we’ll then release what we decided. They don’t know right now. Honestly, it’s a good fight for the sport and I’m trying to be fair with Jacobs and Golovkin.”
There are several issues that need to be resolved.
One is the purse bid split, which is traditionally 75% to the champion (Golovkin) and 25% to the challenger (Jacobs). Leon Margules, who represents Jacobs, has petitioned the WBA to revise the split to 60-40.
Another is the venue, with both Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center hoping to land the fight.
Another is the network on which the fight will be televised. Golovkin is contracted to HBO, while Jacobs and his manager Al Haymon are aligned with Showtime.
If those differences can be resolved, a darn good middleweight championship bout will be in the offing.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
