By Robert “Big Moe” Elmore: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr wants to fight middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. But he wants to do it on his terms. Top Rank wants to do the fight, but it comes with conditions that Chavez wants nothing to do with; a contract extension. Chavez is not ducking this fight or being a prima donna like some have claimed.
Nor did he price himself out. This is a pay per view event we are talking about here and would do quite well. Billy Keane, Chavez’s manager, told yahoo sports that Julio was offered 6.6 million dollar guarantee, but it came with a two fight extension. The biggest offer was a 7 million dollar with a one fight extension. If Chavez beat Golovkin, he would get a 10 million dollar guarantee and 5 million if he lost. The offers were accepted. The extensions were not. Then Top Rank gave one last offer was for 2 million dollars. Chavez made 2.5 million against Brian Vera so he is in his right to ask for more money against a beast like Golovkin. Why would he go backwards in pay? The object is to go forward. But the key word is……EXTENSION.
Ladies and gentlemen this is not about money with Chavez. It’s about him wanting to take control of his own future and who can blame him. Why else would a man turn down such big money? The trade off doesn’t seem worth it to Chavez. He would get the one big fight, but would probably be miserable afterward. Arum explained his end by asking “Why would we take a risk losing on the fight with Golovkin and then we lose the kid as well”? What exactly would Top Rank be losing here? The answer is nothing. The fact that Chavez’s contract isn’t up until October 2015 tells me Top Rank can make this fight. They don’t want to. Proof? Bradley had to sign an extension to fight Manny Pacquiao. I strongly believe the only reason that Miguel Cotto resigned in 2009 was because he knew he would not be able to get his revenge against Antonio Margarito had he departed Top Rank. In fact, when Cotto became a free agent his first attempt to fight Pacquiao (on his fight by basis with Top Rank), the deal fell through for two reasons. One, Pacquaio said he was not fighting above 147 any longer. And two, Cotto said Arum offered him the same money and pay per view upside he did in his first fight with Pac.
Terrance Crawford is set to defend his title against Yuriokis Gamboa. Gamboa was set to fight Brandon Rios, but abandoned the fight do to money issues. Then a fight between feather weight champ Mickey Garcia and Gamboa was being talked about. The fight was called off as Arum has concerns about Gamboa doing to Garcia what he did to Rios. Who is to say that Gamboa won’t do the same to Crawford? That excuse doesn’t fly with me.
Garcia’s style was crowd pleasing and Top Rank had plans of him of becoming a pay per view star. But Garcia is currently suing the company claiming their contract is up under the 2009 contract. Is it coincidence that Garcia is suing and the Gamboa fight can’t be arranged? Ruslan Provodnikov has also expressed his displeasure with Top Rank when he couldn’t a fight with light welterweight Brandon Rios.
If Chavez does leave Top Rank guess what? Top Rank is not going to fold up. They will just find another fighter to replace Chavez. Bob Arum is set for the rest of his life (financially) even when he retires. Why not give Chavez the fight he wants as a going away present as to say “thank you for your services”? They both will make money and most importantly the fans win as well. Chavez may not be the most disciplined fighter in the world (outside the ring at times). But right now, he is giving a spectacular performance in standing up what he believes in. Chavez has always wanted the Golovkin fight and still does; just not an extension. I believe the Golovkin fight isn’t going anywhere and I think K2 Promotions knows this as well. If both parties are patient, the fight will happen when Chavez leaves Top Rank.
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