By Gerardo Granados: I am certain, that we the fight fans always want to see the best boxers fight against the best. Maybe, we all can also agree, that sometimes when a boxer loses to a great fighter, it brings him more respect and admiration from fight fans, than it does to hand pick opponents. And, perhaps we as fight fans might be disappointed to see that a potentially good fight gets spoiled due to business wise decisions made by boxers.
After the newly crowned WBO middleweight belt holder Billy Joe Saunders defeated Andy Lee, he was interviewed in his locker room. He still was excited and the adrenaline was still on his peak, so he made some interesting remarks. Saunders said and I quote when he was asked about a potential fight against Gennady 666 Golovkin, “Golovkin —- off” also said that he wasn’t ready to face the current best middleweight and finalized saying he would fight him, if he was payed a really big amount of money.
It was reported that Golovkin team has reached Saunders, but it seems like Billy Joe is demanding too much money, and also even asked to have the fight at the United Kingdom.
When Roberto Duran lost a competitive decision to Marvin Haggler, it didn’t hurt him at all or ended his boxing career. Not even when he was knocked out by Thomas Hearns. I admire and respect fighters who are willing to take big risks, and to lose cannot demerit any boxer when he lose to a great boxer.
Do the readers think that David Lemieux lose his fan base after his gritty effort against Golovkin?
I hate it when I see boxers constantly hand picking one opponent after another, also when I see a boxer getting undeserving judge decisions one after another. The worst thing is to see a mismatch like the Quillin versus Zefara bout aired on TV.
I think that Martin Murray´s brave and courageous performance against Gennady Golovkin, only increased his stocks, and fight fans are now more interested in seeing him fight. I believe that the ludicrous demand of 155 pounds catch weight made to a mandatory challenger only proves who is a mere belt holder and who is a real champion.
It is true boxing is a business, but is it possible, that to increase your fan base equals to demand better purses?
At the middleweight division all roads lead to Golovkin, for a while it may be business wise to stay away from him, but never ask shameful catch weights to avoid him. But, sooner or later, fight fans will find it evident that it is not worth to follow a manufactured organization champion.
I like Billy Joe Saunders boxing ability, even more the way he speaks, and I can understand he is trying to obtain the major financial gain for him and his family. But, as a fight fan, I am disappointed. Maybe he should take a mandatory defense and then take the risk to fight Golovkin. Besides, what Gennady´s team is offering isn’t “crumbs” (as Peter Quillin would say).
But, is Saunders overpricing himself out of a Golovkin fight?
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