Former middleweight champion and boxing star Gennady Golovkin appears to be finally ready to sign on with a new network, and for big money.
It’s long been expected that former unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (38-1-1, 34 KOs) would sign with DAZN. Now it’s looking like the heavy-handed Kazakh star has finally made his decision.
Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger reported on Sunday that the two sides are close to finalizing a multi-fight deal that will call for a minimum of three fights, and as many as six in total. Assuming the deal gets done, the first fight will be scheduled for late spring/early summer and see him earn at least $10 million. If he prevails, and Canelo Alvarez beats Daniel Jacobs on May 4th, it’s likely we would see Golovkin and Canelo fight a third time in September, and GGG would reportedly make at least $30 million.
The battle for the right to broadcast Golovkin’s fights has largely been contested between DAZN and Premier Boxing Champions, which has television contracts with FOX and Showtime. An improved offer from PBC included a reported two-fight agreement that would see him take on Jermall Charlo on pay-per-view. What’s most interesting but DAZN’s latest offer is they’ve apparently gone the extra mile, guaranteeing equity in a company that is planning to spend roughly $2.5 billion on sports media rights throughout the world this year.
“The package gives Golovkin equity in DAZN, a perk Eddie Hearn, Golden Boy Promotions and even Canelo didn’t receive as part of their deals, per sources. Golovkin, who turns 37 in April, also ensured he’ll receive guaranteed dates for GGG Promotions, which doesn’t have any signed fighters yet, per sources. The Kazakh is looking to sign talent from his home country and beyond as he prepares for life after competition.”
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DAZN pulled away with an offer of equity and the coveted dates for GGG Promotions so Gennady can stage his own cards and build his company out. GGG’s friend from Kazakhstan is one of the main shareholders in DAZN.
Equity? That sounds familiar.
It is certainly about as enticing as it gets for the 36-year-old, whose last fight was a thrilling majority decision loss to Alvarez on HBO pay-per-view in September 2018. After HBO announced it was getting out of the live boxing business, Canelo signed a 10-fight, $350 million contract with the streaming service, and DAZN has been in competition with PBC and ESPN for exclusive rights to top boxers.
Should GGG head to DAZN, he’d join a middleweight stable that includes the aforementioned Canelo and Jacobs, along with WBO champion Demetrius Andrade. In theory, unifying all four major titles at 160 lbs is very realistic and could happen as early as this year.