Chavez Jr. won’t sign extension with Top Rank for Golovkin fight

By Boxing News - 04/29/2014 - Comments

chavez67655By Chris Williams: Former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-1-1, 32 KO’s) says he won’t sign a 3-fight extension with Top Rank, as he wants to be a free agent after his final fight of his contract with Top Rank is up, according to ESPN Deportes. Chavez Jr. says he’ll fight Gennady Golovkin (29-0, 26 KO’s) on July 19th, but he’s not going to sign an extension of 3 fights just to get that fight. Chavez Jr. wants to be a free agent to fight whoever he pleases for the most money available instead of being locked into agreements for multiple fights.

“What happens is that they [Top Rank] want the contract extension and I not extend anything,” Chavez Jr. said to ESPN Deportes. “I’m ready to sign for the fight, but then be a free agent and fight with who suites me as everybody does without extensions in a fight by fight.”

If Chavez Jr. can become a free agent after his final fight with Top Rank, then he’ll be free to face Golden Boy Promotions fighters like Bernard Hopkins and Peter Quillin. But the most important thing is that Chavez Jr. is free to fight the best fighters from any promoter. It seems like that’s what Chavez Jr. wants instead of being locked into a contract and limited to guys that are only promoted by Top Rank or who have a working relationship with them.

Chavez Jr. is still open to working with Top Rank even after his contract expires, but he wants it to be like Miguel Cotto where it’s a fight by fight basis depending on whether it’s a good situation for him to take a particular fight.

The Golovkin fight is a rather dangerous one for Chavez Jr. to be taking for his last fight on his contract with Top Rank. Chavez Jr. might be putting himself into a position where he’ll be ending his contract with Top Rank on a knockout loss rather than a big win. It’s a great fight, but it could put him in a position where he’ll be leaving Top Rank on a bad note.

Ideally you’d like to see Chavez Jr. ending his contract with any promoter on a positive note with a strong victory and excellent performance. Personally, I’d like to see Chavez Jr. take a safe fight against someone like WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham, WBC champion Sakio Bika or one of the top contenders at 168 instead of taking a dangerous fight against Golovkin. If it’s going to be Chavez Jr’s last fight with Top Rank, then he’s taking a risk in facing Golovkin.



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