COLUMN: THE ALVAREZ-GOLOVKIN CONTRACT ? A LESSON ON HOW PROMOTERS TIP THE SCALES TO THEIR FAVOR
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 10 May 2017
Truth be told--there are only two reasons for the seemingly unfair contract that Saul Alvarez and Oscar de la Hoya made Gennady Golovkin signed.
Insecurity and money!
Reports indicate that the contract for the September 16, 2017 fight between Saul Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin that was announced soon after Alvarez beat an obviously over-matched opponent in Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., includes two major clauses that tilt the whole document in GBP?s favor.
Since Team Golovkin did not vehemently oppose it, it appears that they could care less because they know they can beat Alvarez. Even twice. Besides, they can potentially make big money twice as well.
But still, it seems awfully odd since Golovkin is the champion. However in boxing that is nothing new. The guy who has more potential (A side) to make the promoters tons of money gets to call the shots. In this case, it?s Alvarez.
The contract clearly suggests that Alvarez and GBP are worried to death that Alvarez will lose to the classy warrior from Kazakhstan.
And, they have good reasons to do so.
Amongst all the guys that Canelo has fought, nobody has the strength, talent and the skill of true fighter Golovkin! And that includes the self-proclaimed ?TBE? from Michigan.
While it is true that Alvarez indicated after the Chavez fight that he is not afraid to fight anyone, GBP maybe unsure he can beat Golovkin. If they were definitely and positively sure he can beat Golovkin much like he beat Chavez Jr., they would not be asking for a immediate rematch. They asked for re-match clause with Chavez Jr, who stood no chance to beat Alvarez, what more of Golovkin?
Given that Golden Boy Promotions is making sure that no matter what happens, they will still make tons of money from their cash cow. Twice!
They don?t call them promoters for nothing, you know!
With the awesome spin makers at the GBP, there is no doubt they can twice hype the fight and make tons of money. They have exhibited that talent with the Alvarez-Chavez charade.
With the rematch, in the event that Alvarez will lose again, it really does not mean much as GBP will make enough cash with the two fights and they can even drop Alvarez and move on.
This is boxing, remember? Promoters routinely drop their guys when their stock drops.
In our opinion, come September, Alvarez will finally reach his waterloo and sail back down to earth because Golovkin will show him who rules the 160 lbs class. Alvarez has never fought anyone with the power and style of Golovkin.
In addition, there is reportedly no re-hydration clause and Alvarez is free to balloon to have enough bulk to bodily push Golovkin to the ropes. And perhaps have enough watered meat in his body to absorb the classic body punches of Golovkin.
Incidentally, why was ?drug testing? like that done by VADA not included in the contract?
Just curious!
Other than his defeat to Mayweather Jr, Alvarez boasts of beating everyone other than the guy he lost to when he was barely 15 years old.
After he beat Chavez Jr., he was instantly branded as a ?great Mexican fighter? in the level of Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. Not too many disagreed with that, this writer included.
Alvarez might as well get used to the branding because that?s how he will stay. He will never be the best amongst the world?s middleweights because Golovkin will beat him and keep him where he truly belongs- the best amongst Mexicans in his weight class. Nothing wrong with that!
But for Golden Boy, that does not matter that much. They have done their part. They made money for Alvarez, for Golovkin and more importantly for themselves.
In boxing, that is what really counts!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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