After defeating Amir Khan by knockout in the sixth round, fans are eagerly waiting for Canelo Alvarez to make the fight with Gennady Golovkin aka Triple G. Alvarez had a certain time to make the fight happen or give up his belt. Today he revealed that he’s still negotiating the fight but is giving up the WBC belt because he won’t be forced by a time restraint.
Press release from Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya:
“After much consideration, today, I instructed my team at Golden Boy Promotions to continue negotiating a fight with Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and to finalize a deal as quickly as possible. I also informed the WBC that I will vacate its title. For the entirety of my career, I have taken the fights that no one wanted because I fear no man. Never has that been more true than today. I will fight ‘GGG,’ and I will beat ‘GGG’ but I will not be forced into the ring by artificial deadlines. I am hopeful that by putting aside this ticking clock, the two teams can now negotiate this fight, and ‘GGG’ and I can get in the ring as soon as possible and give the fans the fight they want to see.”
Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya today issued the following statement:
“There is no denying that Canelo is the biggest star in the sport of boxing. He is eager to get in the ring with ‘GGG’ to show the world that he is also the best pound for pound fighter in the sport, but we won’t negotiate under a forced deadline. Now that the WBC title is off the table, I am hopeful that ‘GGG’ and his promoter K2 Promotions will come to the table in good faith and get this deal done.”
By vacating the belt Alvarez not only receives more time, he also has more leverage and flexibility. He no longer has to go up to 160 lbs, he can force GGG to come down to maybe 157 lbs.
