The whole world seemed to expect Gennady Golovkin to make his UK boxing debut against Chris Eubank Jr, Eubank himself included.
So it was a shock to many when it was announced that the undefeated Kazakh would take on Kell Brook in London in September.
Eubank Jr called the decision to pair ‘GGG’ with Brook a ‘joke’, claiming he was (and always had been) ready and waiting to put pen to paper on his rumoured fight.
I haven't been shown one contract since my fight with GGG was announced. I'm still ready & waiting to sign. Fighting Brook is a joke #2Small
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) July 8, 2016
But promoter Eddie Hearn has hit back, claiming a deal was on the table for Eubank Jr, but his father Chris Eubank Sr’s ‘crazy demands’ put paid to the prospect of a Eubank-GGG fight.
“We sent them a final contract on Tuesday and said you have 24 hours and they never came back to us,” Hearn told ESPN.
“We just ran out of time, so I offered it to Kell.”
Hearn expressed his belief that Eubank Jr genuinely wanted to fight Golovkin, but that his father was demanding an unrealistic amount.
He confirmed that the deal accepted by Brook was identical to what Eubank Jr was offered before the 24-hour deadline passed.
Up early, time to run. #Respect to @SpecialKBrook for taking this fight. Excited to show the #UK who I am. 👊👊👊
— Gennadiy Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) July 9, 2016
Brook (36-0) will hope to retain his undefeated record against Golovkin (35-0), but will face a huge challenge against an accomplished fighter who has won via knockout in all but three of his 35 career bouts.
