After years of hype and speculation, this Friday saw Gennady Golovkin confirm the details of his UK fight debut.
The Kazakhstani fighter, considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, announced on 8 July that he will be fighting Kell Brook for the Unified World Middleweight Championship on 10 September.
It's official. I will be facing off against @SpecialKBrook Sept. 10 in #London. Ready for my first #UK fight. pic.twitter.com/0bewf2QqS2
— Gennadiy Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) July 8, 2016
The news sent waves of delight around the fight world, as yet another British boxers takes part in a fight of the year contender.
However, whilst many fans credited Kell Brook for securing the fight and wished him well, others were quick to ask what happened to Golovkin’s apparent fight against Chris Eubank Jr.
Last week saw Eubank Jr, fresh off his victory over Tom Doran, talk about his intentions to fight Gennady Golovkin (also known as GGG), sometime this year.
But with Golovkin now fighting Brook, many are wondering what happened…
Great work Eddie, preferred to have seen @ChrisEubankJr fight @GGGBoxing with his style but fair play 👏🏻 #AboutTime #GGGBrook
— Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) July 8, 2016
What a match up @SpecialKBrook v @GGGBoxing 💥 what happened with @ChrisEubankJr @EddieHearn ??
— Trevor Sinclair (@trevor8sinclair) July 8, 2016
Billy Joe Saunders, a long time rival of Eubank Jr (whom he beat in 2014) offered his own bullish reasoning to Chris not getting the fight…
@ChrisEubankJr pussy that's all you are give the fans wot you have promised times ticking 💩
— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) July 8, 2016
And then some….
@leemcdavid @ChrisEubankJr he got offered it twice and the same thing lost his pen #Shitbag
— billyjoesaunders (@bjsaunders_) July 8, 2016
Over on GGG’s side of the camp, and it appears there was an issue with Chris Eubank Jr signing the fight contract…
Everything agreed from our side, now waiting for @ChrisEubankJr, who all of a sudden has lost his pen…
— Gennadiy Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) July 6, 2016
Now, Chris Eubank Jr has responded to claims he “bottled” the fight, saying he was still yet to be offered a contract…
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
Strong words from the current British Middlewight Champion, but as it stands now, it is Kell Brook who has the lucrative fight against Gennady Golovkin.
For now, at least.
