By Radio Rahim
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who doesn't have a dog in the fight, believes IBF/IBO/WBC/WBA middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (36-0, 33KOs) should be properly compensated for a mega-fight with Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (48-1-1, 34KOs), who holds the WBO 154-pound title.
Canelo's promoter, Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, is working out the terms with K2 Promotions' Tom Loeffler, who handles Golovkin.
De La Hoya made an flat fee offer to Golovkin - reportedly in the area of $10 million. Golovkin and his team are looking for a percentage deal - whether it's 60-40, 55-45, etc.
Arum, who promoted De La Hoya for the majority of his boxing career, says the Golden Boy is forgetting his roots and blatantly ducking the fight.
"I felt Canelo Alvarez fought a guy [Liam Smith] who he had no business being in the ring with him. I think that Oscar should remember how we promoted him, when he would fight anybody. To duck Golovkin the way they've been doing it - demeans Canelo, makes no sense at all. Even if you did that fight and Canelo lost the fight, he would lose it bravely and he wouldn't hurt his fanbase. By ducking Golovkin he hurts himself with his fanbase," Arum said.
Arum also recalls when Floyd Mayweather offered Manny Pacquiao a flat fee of $40 million for their mega-fight several years ago. Pacquiao turned that down. Years later they reached a deal with a 60-40 split - and Pacquiao made $150 million, according to Arum.
He says De La Hoya and Golden Boy need to compensate Golovkin and Loeffler proper terms.
"A flat fee is bullsh*t. Remember Mayweather offered Pacquiao a flat fee of $40 million - an amount that Pacquiao had never seen before. Pacquiao turned it down. He wanted a percentage and he ended up making a $150 million, so that's what Golovkin is looking for. Work out a deal with Loeffler, pay Golovkin a fair percentage. That's the way if you want to do the fight, do the fight," Arum said.
As far as the winner, Arum confidently sides with Golovkin to win the fight. He doesn't feel Canelo has the proper style to win.
"Golovkin wins, because Golovkin is a tremendous fighter. The only way you are going to beat Golovkin is if you are really fast on your feet and you punch good. Now Canelo can punch good, but he's slow as molasses on his feet and that style cant beat Golovkin. That's my opinion," Arum said.