Gennady Golovkin-Daniel Jacobs deal could be finalized ahead of Monday deadline
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Gennady Golovkin, playing the part of boxing's boogeyman, simply can't find a top-level dance partner.
The search could come to an end as soon as Friday - finally.
Golovkin's promoter, Tom Loeffler, told Paste BN Sports he expects to strike a deal - before Monday's purse bid - with manager Al Haymon to pit GGG against Daniel Jacobs in a highly anticipated middleweight championship fight.
New York's Madison Square Garden is on hold for March 18, and the fight likely would be televised on HBO PPV.
The WBA ordered the fighters to meet in September, but negotiations dragged on. The purse bid is set for Monday in Panama, with Golovkin (36-0, 33 KOs) earmarked for the lion's share at 75%.
Both sides want to avoid the purse bid - where another promoter could swoop in and claim the rights - and also ensure Jacobs would earn more than 25%. Loeffler expects that deal to be consummated before Monday, and hasn't purchased a plane ticket to Panama just yet.
"Every indication from Al is that we'll get the deal done for the fight," Loeffler said. "We both agree it's just much more productive for the promotion, for both fighters.
"I think it's a great fight. Gennady has now clearly established himself as the No. 1 middleweight. Danny Jacobs has 13 knockouts in a row since his loss to Pirog. In my opinion, he's clearly the No. 2 middleweight.
Loeffler said the Golovkin side made the concession to bring the fight to New York, where Jacobs, 29, was born and raised (in Brooklyn).
Golovkin is regarded as one of the biggest punchers in the sport, but Jacobs (32-1, 29 KOs) packs a big right hand, too. The cancer survivor moves well, is athletic and should present a test for the 34-year-old.
"This would clearly be the most dangerous fight of Golovkin's career, and I think one that gives him the credibility everyone is looking for," Loeffler said.
"At the same time, it gives Danny Jacobs the opportunity to win all the world titles that we worked so hard to accumulate."
(Photo of Golovkin by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Paste BN Sports)