After their knockout wins this past weekend, the WBA has ordered a bout between champions Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The 30-day negotiations period has started,” WBA president Gilberto Mendoza Jr. said. “They have 120 days to do the fight.”

“Daniel Jacobs, he is very good fighter. Huge fight, probably in New York,” Golovkin told ESPN.com in his dressing room after stopping Brook. “Absolutely. I am open for everybody. I think right now this is best fight for us.”

By Bart Barry-

Saturday afternoon HBO broadcast the latest episode in its ungainly series of Gennady “GGG” Golovkin feature films against hopeless welterweight Kell “Special K” Brook, who won a minute of the fight’s first 12 then signalled his corner “anytime fellas!” and got the match towel-waved in round 5, before HBO redeemed itself Saturday night with the genuinely brilliant Nicaraguan Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez in a genuinely competitive championship match with Mexican Carlos “Principe” Cuadros.

The best thing to come of what has become a shameless promotional manufacture of Gennady Golovkin – whose handlers are inexplicably opposed to seeing him challenged – is the emergence of Chocolatito, a master prizefighter deserving of mention in the same paragraphs as other master prizefighters, unlike just about every one of his remaining contemporaries including Golovkin. Making Gonzalez a mainevent attraction may well be the only exceptional thing HBO has done with its sports budget in years, whatever it tells itself about itself.

Much as putting Gonzalez at the top of billings with Golovkin is a service to Gonzalez and his legacy and HBO subscribers, though, it is becoming more and more a liability for Golovkin’s legacy – as it becomes obvious to viewers which man seeks greatness and in a ratio, more alarming still to Golovkin apologists, inverse to viewers’ knowledge of our oncebeloved sport: While the aficionado has historical comparisons with which to delude himself about embarrassing mismatches like Golovkin and Brook – and, hey, look at the soldout arena! – the naif sees one man’s opponent frightened from the opening bell and wonders how this sort of entertainment sates any manly impulse save sadism.

Whatever the scales said the eyes told you Golovkin and Brook did not belong in a ring together much as Chocolatito and Cuadros did not, but whereas Golovkin-Brook fulfilled only the worst suspicions Gonzalez-Cuadros came stuffed with pleasant surprises as the significantly smaller man spun and wacked and maneuvered and pressured and absorbed the larger man’s aggression in a properly competitive spectacle that renewed albeit temporarily one’s passion for prizefighting.

Golovkin-Brook saw a fight in which one man was powerless to hurt the other whatever his technique and the other was powerless not to hurt the one – whatever, again, his technique; Golovkin’s technique has improved no more than his English since HBO’s biannual forcefeedings commenced in 2012, due to dreadful opposition and a trainer who’s three parts savvy selfsalesman for every one part sweetscience sage. Golovkin did more damage to Brook with his jab than Brook did Golovkin with a perfectly placed uppercut thrown in combination, a thing to tell you exactly nothing about Brook’s power or Golovkin’s chin or Golovkin’s power or Brook’s chin but everything about what farcical matchmaking now bedrocks the Golovkin legend.

Such is not an indictment of Golovkin so much as his handlers; one senses Golovkin is all-fighter and wants to mill with real opponents who might really improve him by really stretching him, converting his potential finally instead of merely growing it, but that cannot happen so long as the industry’s rapacity protects him, a lifetime middleweight, a man 40 pounds from the heavyweight division, with continuing nonsense about a dearth of suitable opponents (no one at 168 pounds will face him; only someone from 147 would) – risibly the same industry that once chided Floyd Mayweather, who made title fights in five divisions and climbed 24 pounds, for not challenging himself adequately and now wonders aloud when Chocolatito will jump to his fifth or sixth weightclass.

While Golovkin and his big payday Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, faces still CoverGirl fresh, unite to unify the welterweight division, Chocolatito wears the scars of a man who challenges himself properly in a pursuit of greatness by matching himself with increasingly larger men and narrowing dramatically his margins for error. Therein lies the insult of Saturday’s spectacles: Golovkin strode forward with an aluminum bat in a waterballoon fight while Chocolatito suffered each time Cuadros struck him and didn’t relent.

Put Golovkin in the ring with men large enough to hurt him or shut up until you do.

To the suddenly empathetic souls who saw Brook motion for 20,000 spectators and one fellow combatant the very moment his right eye was hurt Saturday, actually waving his glove and pointing to his eye midround, a question: Can you imagine Gonzalez or Cuadros giving another man on earth the satisfaction of knowing he was injured? Then came the predictable perversity of cheering a premature corner stoppage for preserving future paydays the vanquished and his sympathetically complicit cornermen may enjoy in 2017 scams and one more at least in 2018. What sort of afficionado, exactly, feels compelled to celebrate the continuation of a career unremarkable as Brook’s in lieu of continued violence?

If you’re enthusiastically watching a fight for the middleweight championship of the world and fearful a man may lose his life in the opening 15 minutes you’re being disingenuous – either when you say you’re enthusiastic about seeing the fight or when you say you’re genuinely concerned for the loser’s health. Both are unseemly.

After their respective matches Golovkin gave himself a low score and likened his assault to sparring while Chocolatito, both eyes swelling shut, said he knew the perils of rising in weight but welcomed them because rising to challenges (rising for challenges) is what great fighters do. Credit both men’s honesty.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Gennady Golovkin retained the IBF/WBC Middleweight titles by stopping Welterweight champion and previously undefeated Kell Brook in round five in front of a sold out crowd at the 02 Arena in London.

Golovkin hurt Brook early in round one and it looked like Golovkin was going live up to much of the pre-fight predictions of an early stoppage.

Brook worked his way into the fight as he got the better of exchanges, which drew a roar from the pro-Brook crowd. The action was fast and their were furious exchanges for which broth fighters hsowed marks on their faces. Brook however started to swell around his right. Golovkin came out in round four seeking his prey, but Brook hung in there and gave almost as good as he received. In round five, Golovkin came out with abandon and began landing the heavy leather on Brook. Brook seemed to dodge some of the shots, but his trainer Dominic Ingle waved off the bout.

Golovkin is now 36-0 with 33 knockouts. Brook is now 36-1.

Follow all the action as Gennady Golovkin defends the IBF/WBC Middleweight title against IBF Wekterweight champion Kell Brook in a battle of undefeated world champions.  The action begins at 5:30 PM ET from the 02 Arena in London.

THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY–NO REFRESH NEEDED

Round 1: Jab from Golovkin..Right from Brook..Brook swelling around right eye…Hard body shot..Brook is hurtUppercut from Brook..Hard right from Brook..Left from Golovkin..Golovkin swelling around his left eye..

Round 2:  Great back and forth…Brook getting better…Lands an uppercut….

Round 3 Golovkin putting on pressure…3 punch body to body…Hard right…..Brook;s eye swelling badley…3 hard shots from Brook

Round 4 Counter right from Brook.Body shots from Golovkin..Jab,,Good left hook from Brook…

Round 5 Golovkin going after Brook….Hard right snaps Brook’s head back..BROOK’S CORNER THROWS IN THE TOWEL

 

 

London, England (September 8, 2016) In front of a massive display of international media, Boxing Superstar and Unified Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, (35-0, 32 KO’s) and Undefeated British Boxing Star and Welterweight World Champion “The Special One” Kell Brook, (36-0, 25KO’s) held their Final Press Conference today leading up to their highly anticipated international showdown at The O2 on Saturday, September 10 in London, England.

Presented by Matchroom Boxing and K2 Promotions, the middleweight world title clash will be televised on Sky Sports Box Office in the United Kingdom and Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT in the United States.

Gennady “GGG” Golovkin
“I’m very excited to be here. I want to thank my team, my managers and promoter. Thanks to the JORDAN Brand and Jordan family and all my Kazakhstan partners. I feel great, I like London, it’s a beautiful city.”

“I respect Kell Brook and his team, I know he understands for both of us, this is the biggest fight. “

“He looks ready, I’m ready. This is a big gift for boxing fans. Not just in the UK but for all boxing fans.”

“Kell Brook is a very good boxer and I respect him for taking this fight – he is more than ready. He is an undefeated champion and this will be the biggest fight of my career. He is coming up from welterweight so his speed will be a new test for me.

“I hope our styles match well to give the fans a present. I want to produce a dramatic show and that is why I have come to London.

“The Special One” Kell Brook
“When he feels the power that I have that’s going to be a strong, powerful and quick Middleweight hitting him, not a Welterweight. I’m going to put it all together.”

“Golovkin is like Mike Tyson – people have lost before they even get in there with him. I’m not interested in what he’s going to do; I’m focused on what I need to deliver to win.”

“I am happy with the decision to make this enormous fight and the sold-out crowd and the viewing figures on TV will prove that this is a massive fight.”

“Everyone in boxing knows that I am a big guy. People who don’t know think that the weight is going to be an issue. I’m more vicious in sparring when I am around 160lbs or coming down from heavier than that, that’s where I am healthier in training and I can give so much more output in the gym, and that means the full 100 per cent will come from me in the fight. ”

“I’m going to follow the greats and make history. The likes of Felix Trinidad, Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao have all moved through the weights to prove they are greats at all weights. There’s a small window of opportunity to do something special and I am going to take my chance to prove that I am a special fighter.”

Abel Sanchez, Trainer of Gennady “GGG” Golovkin
“About six and half years ago we took on the task of developing an attraction that would be worthy of all this attention.”
“I think were close and on Saturday night, Kell Brook will discover that it takes more than a 10-week scientific experiment to topple Gennady Golovkin.”

Dominic Ingle, Trainer of Kell Brook
“The last time I remember seeing a media gathering like this was for Mike Tyson coming to Scotland in 2008. That was a massive event and this one is even bigger.

“This fight couldn’t’ have come at a better time for Kell, he’s been looking to move up in weight for a long time.”

“People are now realizing that Kell Brook is not a small guy, a welterweight stepping up to challenge a middleweight.”

“This is the only time I’ve seen him happy in a training camp. Never had a smile on his face when he had to make 147, but this time he’s been happy the whole training camp as he makes 160. “

Tom Loeffler, K2 Promotions
“Eddie really saved the day and we thank him and his team for all their great work on this promotion. We have a great deal of respect for Kell Brook for accepting this fight.”

“We don’t have to go through the list of all the full fledged middleweights who have turned down fights, given up titles and negotiated until the 11th hour and then not sign the contract, it’s unbelievable how difficult it was to find someone to get in the ring with Gennady.”

‘With the international interest in this fight, it’s become the most talked about fight this year.”

“We’d like to thank Sky Sports for this great efforts in promoting this event and HBO who really launched Gennady’s career and RTL our partners in the German speaking territories, this is the first time they’ve telecast one of Gennady’s fights and they realize the magnitude and excitement that comes with this matchup.”

“We’d like to thank the JORDAN Brand as well as Tsesnabank, Expo 2017and Capital Holdings for their support and on Saturday night you’ll see the brand new shoes they’ve designed specifically for Gennady.

Eddie Hearn/Matchroom Boxing
“This fight has hit fever pitch, fans coming up to me dozens of times today and asking ‘can Kell do it, he looks strong, is GGG really the beast people say he is.”

“London, England is really the new capital of boxing. It’s great to have another huge event at The 02. It’s a pleasure to have Gennady Golovkin here, the best fighter in the world.

“Everybody wants to see him, bringing him here to the UK created this massive event.”

“It was a pleasure dealing with Tom Loeffler and K2 Promotions on this event and thanks to Gennady’s entire team for their cooperation with the promotion.”

“Any fighter who wishes to face Gennady, these are very easy people to deal with, they just want to fight the very best and that’s what they are doing with Kell Brook, 35-0 vs. 36-0, it doesn’t get any bigger or better than this.
————————

Golovkin is known as “The Most Exciting, Hardest-Hitting, Most Feared Fighter in the World.” From recently selling out arenas in New York City (Madison Square Garden), Los Angeles (The Fabulous Forum), Carson, California (StubHub Center) and now The O2 (London) to his sponsorships with the JORDAN Brand, Apple, Samsung, and Bijan, Tsesnabank, BI Group and EXPO 2017, Golovkin is one of the most marketable athletes in the world.

Golovkin’s record includes 22 straight knockouts in addition to 16 consecutive world title defenses. His 91.4% knockout ratio is the highest in boxing’s middleweight division history.

Britain’s pound-for-pound number one fighter, Kell Brook, is out to shock the world when he steps up two weight divisions to take on the fearsome Gennady Golovkin.

The unbeaten Sheffield star achieved his childhood dream in August 2014 when he travelled to California to rip the IBF World Welterweight title from Ohio’s highly-rated and then-unbeaten Shawn Porter. He has since defended the title on three occasions, defeating Jo Jo Dan, Frankie Gavin and Kevin Bizier, all by stoppage.

SOCIAL MEDIA: For more information, visit www.MatchroomBoxing.com www.K2Promos.com, www.HBO.com/boxing, www.SkySports.com, and www.theo2.co.uk

Follow on Twitter for Gennady “GGG” Golovkin @GGGBoxing, Kell Brook at @SpecialKBrook,
@ Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions @TomLoeffler1, Eddie Hearn @EddieHearn and Matchroom Boxing @MatchroomBoxing in addition to HBO Boxing @HBOBoxing and Sky Sports Boxing @SkySportsBoxing.

Use the hashtag #GGGBrook to join the conversation on social media.

What does Liam Smith provide in term of helping Canelo to get ready for a potential fight with GGG? As a promoter, what do you tell boxing fans that wanted to see Canelo-GGG instead of Canelo-Smith?

“Well, first of all, Canelo takes every fight seriously and never looks past anyone. Liam Smith is an undefeated fighter, the WBO Junior Middleweight Champion of the world, has knocked out his last eight opponents and comes from an outstanding boxing family.

“As of today, Canelo is a 154-lb fighter. He only fought for a Middleweight championship because fans wanted a fight with Miguel Cotto, and Canelo delivered by winning that fight convincingly.

“I have been clear that Canelo will fight Golovkin at 160 pounds and we have a verbal agreement to do it in the fall of 2017. But in the meantime, Canelo is going to build up to being a true middleweight.

“The plan is to face Smith – a big, bruising 154-pounder – in September, and if Canelo emerges victorious, to start making his way up to 160 pounds and fight Golovkin on equal turf (in terms of weight).

“We envision Canelo doing a third fight in 2016 either at or close to the middleweight limit and then a fight on Cinco De Mayo at 160 before facing Golovkin in the fall.

“I know Canelo/Golovkin is the biggest fight to make; the fighters know it’s the biggest fight to make; and the fans know it’s the biggest fight to make. Everyone agreed that a fight for the middleweight championship should take place at the middleweight limit and once Canelo builds up to that weight, the fight will be on.

“In the meantime, we are hopeful and confident that Canelo will continue to perform at a level that has led to back-to-back knockouts of the year over James Kirkland and Amir Khan and when his body is ready, GGG should look out.”

The HBO Sports special ROAD TO CANELO/SMITH debuts Saturday, September 10 at 12:45 a.m. (ET/PT) immediately following HBO World Championship Boxing.

Alvarez challenges Britain’s Liam Smith for his junior middleweight crown when Canelo vs. Smith takes place Saturday, September 17 from AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, live on pay-per-view beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

HBO Boxing presents day-night action from two continents, highlighted by a pair world championship fights featuring two of the sport’s top pound-for-pound performers, when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: GENNADY GOLOVKIN VS. KELL BROOK AND ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ VS. CARLOS CUADRAS AND YOSHIHIRO KAMEGAI VS. JESUS SOTO KARASS 2 is seen SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, first at 5:30 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from London and then at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from Inglewood, Cal., exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Sept. 11 (9:15 a.m.) and 12 (11:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Sept. 11 (4:15 p.m.) and 13 (midnight)

The tripleheader will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO and HBO On Demand.

At 5:30 p.m. (ET/PT), from The O2 in London, powerhouse Gennady Golovkin (35-0, 32 KOs), originally from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, and now training at Big Bear, Cal., defends his middleweight crown against Kell Brook (36-0, 25 KOs), from Sheffield, England, in a scheduled 12-round contest.

Seeking his 17th consecutive successful 160-pound title defense, Golovkin is drawing closer to Bernard Hopkins’ record of 20 successful middleweight title defenses. On a 22-bout knockout streak, Golovkin has compiled an extraordinary knockout-to-win ratio of 91%, and no opponent has gone the distance with him since June 2008. Trained by the highly regarded Abel Sanchez, he will be making his 11th appearance on HBO since his auspicious Sept. 2012 debut on the network.

With a 69% knockout-to-victory ratio, Brook became the British welterweight champion in 2008 and is a current world welterweight champion. Having defended his title successfully three times, he is moving up two weight classes to take on the formidable Golovkin.

At 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT), from The Forum in Inglewood, Cal., the primetime bouts kick off with Yoshihiro Kamegai (26-3-2, 23 KOs), from Tokyo, Japan, taking on Jesus Soto Karass (28-10-4, 18 KOs) of Los Moches, Mexico, who now lives in North Hollywood, Cal., in a scheduled ten-round super welterweight fight. These ring warriors fought to a split-decision draw in April and now look to settle the score in their heated rivalry.

Then, undefeated fighters Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (45-0, 38 KOs), from Managua, Nicaragua, and Carlos Cuadras (35-0-1, 27 KOs), from Mexico City, Mexico, meet in a scheduled 12-round super flyweight title fight. Gonzalez has brought worldwide attention to the lower weight divisions with his speed and power, boasting an 84% knockout-to-win ratio. Cuadras, with a 75% knockout-to-win ratio, is a super flyweight champion and looks to halt Gonzalez’s quest for a world title in a fourth weight class.

The primetime presentation will also feature a replay of the Golovkin-Brook bout from earlier in the day. Immediately following all the boxing action, HBO Sports will premiere at approximately 12:45 a.m. (ET/PT) ROAD TO CANELO/SMITH, a special chronicling the path to the Sept. 17 junior middleweight pay-per-view title fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex. between Canelo Alvarez and Liam Smith.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.

All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

The executive producer of WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is Rick Bernstein; producers, Dave Harmon, Jon Crystal, Thomas Odelfelt; director, Johnathan Evans.

By Bart Barry–

SAN ANTONIO – This city is named after a river.

Too, it’s nicknamed after a mission where a battle happened and Davy Crockett fought. Saturday the domed venue named after the mission where that battle happened and Davy Crockett fought, Alamodome, will play host to Mexican WBC Silver Caneloweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s decimation of British welter/middleweight Kell “Special K” Brook in a Cinco De Mayo HBO PPV extravaganza, “GolovKanelo,” that will also see HBO Middleweight Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin make a homecoming hospitalization of British super welterweight Liam “Beefy” Smith in Kazakhstan.

“Kell Brook reminds me a lot of myself,” said an enthusiastic Oscar De La Hoya at GolovKanelo’s kickoff presser in April. “And Canelo Alvarez, obviously, reminds me a lot of myself. It’s like Oscar versus De La Hoya. Expect fireworks. Two champions. Both were undefeated before their primes.”

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation is on high-alert for Saturday’s premeditated assault. Despite reserving ringside seats for more than two dozen “medical officials” Commissioners expect to be powerless to stop the battery when Canelo brings more than two centuries of his countrymen’s grief, first with Spain and later with corrupt locally grown leaders, to the chin and ribs of hapless Kell Brook, a once-undefeated welterweight who ate himself to a handsome payday and vicious beating from Gennady Golovkin in September, a London match that went off lopsidedly even in the drunken betting shops of Brook’s hometown.

One of the Brothers Smith, apparently the one Canelo made a brutal “lesson in the obligations of independence” out of on Mexican Independence Day Weekend 2016, will make the second part of HBO’s split-venue / split-continents pay-per-view fiesta when he serves himself warm to GGG and 20,000 rabid Kazakhs in their country’s third-largest sports venue, Kazhymukan Munaitpasov Stadium, in a contest expected to satisfy any outstanding criteria for naming Golovkin the HBO Middleweight Champion of the Decade – an honorarium that precludes GGG from ever moving to 168 pounds, unless he wants to.

According to an unnamed source in the otherwise unreadable “Official GolovKanelo Blog” the enmity betwixt Alvarez and Golovkin was too much for one continent to sustain after what insiders now call The Incident. As reporters have hashed and rehashed since September: Budgetary restrictions precluded Golovkin’s handlers from booking a direct London-to-Dallas flight after Golovkin’s near decapitation of Brook, which caused Golovkin to land in his adopted hometown of Los Angeles and drive to Texas where he arrived 37 minutes too late to see Canelo break the stream of electricity to Smith’s brain in the fifth round of their woeful mismatch.

According to De La Hoya, Canelo’s earnest promoter, Canelo might’ve stopped Smith in round 3 if he’d had a proper warmup but instead spent the final private moments of his prefight routine before a restroom mirror practicing a new speech and glower he intended to deliver to Golovkin immediately after another successful defense of the WBC Caneloweight Silver title (Alvarez also holds the International title, the Gold title and the Americas title in this division).

“The only thing that held Canelo back from scoring the fastest knockout of a British fighter in Mexican history,” De La Hoya explained in Part 4 of a riveting blog, “was me telling him to rehearse his lines for after the fight. He won’t do that again.

“Now he’s going straight to the top.”

When Golovkin was not yet in the city limits of Arlington, Texas, at the time of Canelo’s important announcement, the fiercely proud Firehaired Horseman of Jalisco stated flatly:

“Mexicans do not tolerate the disrespect. We do not fight a man who disrespects us, because that means respecting a disrespectful man and that is not how he learns to respect. Wherever he is, tell that guy he will not share a ring with me until he learns respect, and since these things take a year to learn, at the very least . . .”

Whatever applause then burst from the partisan-Mexican crowd at AT&T Stadium in September – a crowd De La Hoya estimated “between 20,000 and 100 million but definitely more than 10,000” – a terrible rift opened between the two champions’ promoters, HBOGBP and HBOK2, time alone may heal but may not – not as proud as these two men are, not as proud as they are of their respective fighting traditions.

Further complicating matters was Canelo’s refusal to pay Golovkin step-aside money for Canelo’s expected match with David Lemieux, whom Golovkin blasted apart some years ago, and about whom Canelo later said, “For what would I beat a guy Golovkin beat after many years when I can broil (asar) more English beef the other guy tenderized Saturday?”

Tweeting from the bed to which doctors consigned him after his match with Golovkin, Special K eagerly accepted Canelo’s challenge, promising to bulk up to 190 pounds by March in the hopes of cutting a pound a day in April.

“With no chance of Canelo and Golovkin now fighting one another in 2017,” an HBO representative said, “we decided to give fans a truly innovative experience. We call it the HBO Virtual Scorecard. This way our subscribers can watch Canelo against Golovkin’s most recent victim and Gennady against Alvarez’s most recent opponent, and score who would win each round if Canelo and Gennady were fighting each other.

“Max has been doing this for years!”

Kell Brook hit the scales five pounds heavier than Gennady Golovkin in their final WBC check-weigh ahead of their monster clash for the WBC, IBF and IBO World Middleweight titles at The O2 in London on Saturday September 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Brook was weighed at the famous Wincobank Gym in Sheffield by the British Boxing Board of Control and weighed 167.8lbs, while Golovkin tipped the scales at 162.9lb at his Big Bear Training Camp in California.

Brook and Golovkin top a blockbuster night of action in London with two more mouth-watering World title clashes as Lee Haskins defending his IBF World Bantamweight title in a rematch with bitter rival Stuart Hall, who he met for the European strap in July 2012, and Charlie Edwards challenging for a World title in his ninth pro fight against two-weight IBF Flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero.

Callum Smith defends his WBC Silver title against tough Hungarian Norbert Nemesapati while his older brother Paul continues his hunt for a third World title shot, Martin J. Ward and Andy Townend meet for the vacant British Super-Featherweight title, WBC Silver Super-Bantamweight champion McDonnell is tracking down a World title shot of his own Sheffield Super-Bantamweight and Brook’s Ingle Gym mate Galahad continues his comeback, Conor Benn boxes for the fourth time in the paid ranks and unbeaten Middleweight Craig Richards tastes his fifth action in the pros.

Gennady Golovkin and Kell Brook will perform public work-outs at Covent Garden on Tuesday lunchtime to kick-off fight week ahead of their blockbuster clash for the WBC, IBF and IBO World Middleweight titles at The O2 in London on Saturday October 10, live on Sky Sports.

UK fight fans will get their first up-close and personal look at pound-for-pound KO king Golovkin as he prepares to box in Britain for the first time, with Sheffield star Brook looking to dethrone the Kazakh power-puncher and become a two-weight World champion.

There’s a hat-trick of World title bouts on the bill in Greenwich as Lee Haskins defends his IBF World Bantamweight title against bitter rival Stuart Hall and Charlie Edwards challenges Johnriel Casimero for the IBF World Flyweight crown, while young gun Conor Benn completes the line-up for the work-out.

Media-only press conferences for the undercard on Wednesday and main event on Thursday follow the work out before the weigh-in takes place at the Indigo at The O2 from 1pm, with doors open at midday.

Paul and Callum Smith, Gavin McDonnell and Kid Galahad complete the line-up on the undercard of the blockbuster showdown between pound-for-pound sensation Gennady Golovkin and Sheffield star Kell Brook at The O2 in London on Saturday September 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Liverpool Super-Middleweight brothers Callum and Paul are in action in the sold-out arena, with unbeaten star Callum defending his WBC Silver title against tough Hungarian Norbert Nemesapati while the eldest of the Smith quartet Paul continues his hunt for a third World title shot.

WBC Silver Super-Bantamweight champion McDonnell is tracking down a World title shot of his own and the unbeaten Doncaster man fights for the first time since landing that title in February while Sheffield Super-Bantamweight and Brook’s Ingle Gym mate Galahad continues his comeback.

The Smiths, McDonnell and Galahad join a stacked card of great fights with Lee Haskins defending his IBF World Bantamweight title in a rematch with bitter rival Stuart Hall, who he met for the European strap in July 2012, and Charlie Edwards challenging for a World title in his ninth pro fight against two-weight IBF Flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero.

Martin J. Ward and Andy Townend meet for the vacant British Super-Featherweight title, Conor Benn boxes for the fourth time in the paid ranks and unbeaten Middleweight Craig Richards tastes his fifth action in the pros.

“The card is now set for the biggest night of boxing in 2016,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Callum Smith has one more hurdle before the mandatory against WBC champ Badou Jack is called on September 13 and we are looking for him to make a statement on this huge platform.

“Gavin McDonnell is sitting pretty for a shot at the World title later this year and Paul Smith is also in the hunt with one eye on the winner of the rematch between Giovanni De Carolis and Tyron Zeuge winner for the WBA strap.

“With the three World title fights and Lonsdale belt clash, this night is packed with action as we count down to the moment of truth between unbeaten divisional number ones Gennady Golovkin and Kell Brook.”

Discuss what it will be like fighting at the home of “America’s Team”, the Dallas Cowboys. Why Liam Smith instead of Gennady Golovkin?

“I have always loved fighting in Texas, and the opportunity to fight in front of tens of thousands of fans at such an incredible venue is very special to me.

“When I finished my fight with James Kirkland, I told my team that I wanted to come back to Texas at least once a year, and I am a man of my word.

“As Texas borders Mexico, I expect many of my fellow countrymen to come to the fight, and I am looking forward to putting on a show.

“When I train, I only focus on one fighter, and that is the one in front of me. Liam Smith is undefeated and the WBO champion. He has knocked out many other fighters and is hungry to become a superstar.

“Like always, I am going to work extremely hard throughout training camp, get myself into the best condition possible and hopefully come out with another victory.

“As for the future, I’ll let others do the talking, but I have always said that I fear no man, and when I feel my body is ready, I will take on anyone and everyone in the division that I am fighting.

“For right now, I have only one goal, and that is to be in best physical and mental shape of my life to come in Sept. 17 and perform at the best of my ability for my fans.”

The HBO Sports special ROAD TO CANELO/SMITH debuts Saturday, September 10 at 12:45 a.m. (ET/PT) immediately following HBO World Championship Boxing.

Alvarez challenges Britain’s Liam Smith for his junior middleweight crown when Canelo vs. Smith takes place Saturday, September 17 from AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, live on pay-per-view beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

LOS ANGELES (August 24, 2016) Boxing’s Two Best Pound-For-Pound Fighters and two of the sport’s biggest stars, Unified Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, (35-0, 32KO’s) and WBC Flyweight World Champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, (45-0, 38 KO’s), hosted Joint Media Workouts yesterday from their training camps at the The Summit High Altitude Training Facility in Big Bear Lake, California.

Joining them was Golovkin’s trainer, 2015 Trainer of the Year, Abel Sanchez, Gonzalez’s manager Carlos Blandon along with K2 Promotions’ Managing Director Tom Loeffler.

Golokvin is preparing for a highly anticipated showdown with Undefeated IBF Welterweight World Champion, “The Special One” Kell Brook, (36-0, 25 KO’s), on September 10 at The 02 in London, England.

Gonzalez is training for an extraordinary fourth divisional world title challenge as he moves up to the super flyweight division to challenge WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Carlos “Principe” Cuadras, (35-0-1, 27 KO’s) also on Saturday, September 10 at The Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles.

The four undefeated world champions, boasting a combined record of 151-0-1 with 122 knockouts provide a spectacular telecast for HBO of undefeated, world-class talent. The London fight will be telecast live on HBO World Championship Boxing from the O2 at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT and the doubleheader from the Forum in Inglewood starts at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The primetime presentation will also feature a replay of Golovkin vs. Brook from earlier in the day.

Photos Courtesy/Michael Sterling Eaton, Neo Nostalgia

Below are quotes from the participants;

GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN
“Right now my focus is on Kell Brook, he signed the contract and that’s who I’m ready to fight, I have a great deal of respect for him.”

“This is my first fight in England and I’m very excited to fight in a new country.”

“Yes I want to unify the middleweight division titles but I don’t know if WBO Champion Billy Jo Saunders will fight me.”

“Move up to 168 for what, who is going to fight me there, which champion at that weight
will agree to fight me for a big fight.”

“Right now I make 160 easily so I’m comfortable here, look at me I’m regular size middleweight.”

“Just too much talking about fighting me, Canelo, Eubank, Saunders, Froch they are acting like clowns with no respect for the sport. I’m here now, sign the contract and fight me, any of them, doesn’t matter which one.”

ROMAN “CHOCOLATITO” GONZALEZ
“I love it up here in Big Bear, training at the home base of Gennady Golovkin. I would like to train here for all my future fights.”

“It’s a blessing to be up here, running with Gennady in the morning, he’s a great person.”

“My weight is not a problem, moving up to super flyweight, the extra three pounds helps me.”

“Yes, Cuadras talks a lot, but I don’t take it personally, if that’s what he has to do to pump himself up, it’s no problem for me. I’ll be ready to fight on September 10th.”

“Just this fight is my focus, I’m not thinking about any other fights in the future, Cuadras is an
undefeated world champion who I respect greatly. It’s a very tough fight for me.”

“Thanks to God for allowing me to fight on HBO and to be named the #1 Pound-For-Pound Fighter, I never dreamed this would happen.”

“I dedicate this fight to my mentor Alexis Arguello, I know how badly he wanted a fourth divisional championship and I want to do this for him.”

“I love fighting at The Forum, I feel very comfortable there knowing that Alexis had success there.”

ABEL SANCHEZ, Trainer of Golovkin
“For Gennady, he just wants to fight. Doesn’t matter where the ring is, it will be the same size
as it is here.”

“Kell Brook stepped up instead of talking about it. He’s never lost and those are the toughest fighters.”

“Our training camp has been great, our three sparring partners, Darnell Boone, Dashon Johnson and Kenny McNeil have done an excellent job preparing Gennady for Kell Brook and Gennady and I have to give them a great deal of credit.”

CARLOS BLANDON, Manager of Gonzalez
“It’s an honor and a blessing from God to train here in Big Bear at Gennady’s gym.”

“We are just focused on this fight and will make a decision afterwards for future fights.”

“Thanks to HBO, K2 Promotions, Teiken Promotions we are very happy with all the great things happening for Roman.”

TOM LOEFFLER, Managing Director of K2 Promotions
“Thank you all for coming to the Big Bear Media Day for the two best fighters in the world, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.”

“On September 10th we have four undefeated world champions with a combined record of 151-0-1 with 122 knockouts, live on HBO, not PPV in the United States.”

“Golovkin vs. Brook will be telecast live on HBO from The O2 in London, which sold out with 18,000 tickets in one day, at 2:30 p.m. PT and will be shown on the Terrace at The Fabulous Forum before the doors open at 4:30 p.m. PT. The tailgate party at the venue will start at 2:00 p.m. PT and we encourage fight fans to come early and enjoy the festive atmosphere which our events have become known for at The Fabulous Forum.”

“The event at The Fabulous Forum features a sensational undercard including undefeated female prospect Seniesa Estrada. HBO will kick off their telecast at 7:00 p.m. PT with the rematch of Yoshihiro Kamegai vs Jesus Soto Karass from their first Fight of the Year candidate in April of this year in Los Angeles.”

“After the outstanding main event between “Chocolatito” and Cuadras, HBO will re-air the Golovkin vs. Brook fight. It’s really an outstanding tripleheader and the biggest day of international boxing this year.”

“Tickets starting at $25 for The Fabulous Forum event can be purchased through Ticketmaster.”

SOCIAL MEDIA: For more information, visit www.MatchroomBoxing.com www.K2Promos.com, www.HBO.com/boxing, www.SkySports.com, and www.theo2.co.uk

Follow on Twitter for Gennady “GGG” Golovkin @GGGBoxing, Kell Brook at @SpecialKBrook, Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions @TomLoeffler1, Eddie Hearn @EddieHearn and Matchroom Boxing @MatchroomBoxing in addition to HBO Boxing @HBOBoxing and Sky Sports Boxing @SkySportsBoxing.

Use the hashtag #GGGBrook to join the conversation on social media.

Also follow on Twitter for Roman Gonzalez @ChocolatitoBox, Carlos Cuadras @CuadrasOficial,
@ Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions @TomLoeffler1, the Forum @theForum and HBO Boxing @HBOBoxing and become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/ChocolatitoOfficial, www.facebook/CarlosCuadras, www.facebook.com/TheForum and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Use the hashtag #ChocolatitoCuadras to join the conversation on social media.

Big Bear Lake, California/Fuerteventura, Spain (August 10, 2016) Boxing Superstar and Unified Middleweight World Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, (35-0, 32 KO’s) and Undefeated British Boxing Star and Welterweight World Champion “The Special One” Kell Brook, (36-0, 25KO’s) have both weighed in within the World Boxing Council’s (‘WBC’) required 30-day limits heading into their highly anticipated international showdown at The O2 on Saturday, September 10 in London, England.

From his training camp in Big Bear Lake, California, Golovkin, holder of the WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO Middleweight World Titles weighed in at 165lbs. while IBF Welterweight World Champion Brook tipped the scales at 176lbs. from his training camp in Fuerteventura, Spain.

For middleweight world title fights, the WBC mandates that fighters must be no more than 10% over the middleweight limit or 176lbs. thirty days prior to the fight.

Presented by Matchroom Boxing and K2 Promotions, the middleweight world title clash will be televised on Sky Sports Box Office in the United Kingdom and Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT in the United States.

Golovkin Photo/Courtesy K2 Promotions
Brook Photo/Courtesy Matchroom Boxing
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Golovkin is known as “The Most Exciting, Hardest-Hitting, Most Feared Fighter in the World.” From recently selling out arenas in New York City (Madison Square Garden), Los Angeles (The Fabulous Forum), Carson, California (StubHub Center) and now The O2 (London) to his sponsorships with the JORDAN Brand, Apple, Samsung, and Bijan, Tsesna Bank, BI Group and EXPO 2017, Golovkin is one of the most marketable athletes in the world.

Golovkin’s record includes 22 straight knockouts in addition to 16 consecutive world title defenses. His 91.4% knockout ratio is the highest in boxing’s middleweight division history. Britain’s pound-for-pound number one fighter, Kell Brook, is out to shock the world when he steps up two weight divisions to take on the fearsome Gennady Golovkin.

The unbeaten Sheffield star achieved his childhood dream in August 2014 when he travelled to California to rip the IBF World Welterweight title from Ohio’s highly-rated and then-unbeaten Shawn Porter. He has since defended the title on three occasions, defeating Jo Jo Dan, Frankie Gavin and Kevin Bizier, all by stoppage.

SOCIAL MEDIA: For more information, visit www.MatchroomBoxing.com www.K2Promos.com, www.HBO.com/boxing, www.SkySports.com, and www.theo2.co.uk

Follow on Twitter for Gennady “GGG” Golovkin @GGGBoxing, Kell Brook at @SpecialKBrook,
@ Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions @TomLoeffler1, Eddie Hearn @EddieHearn and Matchroom Boxing @MatchroomBoxing in addition to HBO Boxing @HBOBoxing and Sky Sports Boxing @SkySportsBoxing.

Use the hashtag #GGGBrook to join the conversation on social media.

Gennady “GGG” Golovkin
“I’m very excited and happy to be in London. I’m excited to perform in front of the UK fans. Kell Brook has my full respect and a great team behind him. It’s not easy for us to get opponents, he’s ready for me and I’m ready for him. Kell Brook is the biggest test to me, he’s a great champion, he’s moving up in weight but great fighters have done that and I know he’s a great boxer and he will test me the most. Thanks to Sky Sports and HBO, I can give the UK fans an amazing event and another big drama show.”

“The Special One” Kell Brook
“This is the biggest fight in world boxing. I’m the best Welterweight in the world and no-one wants me, he’s the best Middleweight in the world and no one wants him. I’ll be his size on fight night and I’m bringing the speed to Middleweight. To be the best you have to beat the best. I’m going to be so sharp and so powerful on fight night. No one has got the best out of me before but Gennady will bring that out in me and I’m excited to see that from myself. I always find a way to win and there’s going to be massive drama in the fight, it doesn’t get better than this and I’m doing this for the fans that have wanted me to step-up and show them what Kell Brook can really do.”

“I want to go down in history like Sugar Ray Robinson as doing massive things in big fights and beating the best, Gennady is the best fighter in the world, and I am going to beat him. It’s the best fighting the best.”

Abel Sanchez, Trainer of Golovkin
“These guys are very intelligent in the ring and that’s what makes them great. When the fear becomes aggression they want to win and excel.”

“We are looking forward to a hard fight and to fighting the best Welterweight on the planet. Four years ago we were here for Carson Jones and there’s hundreds more cameras. Kell’s improved massively since then and we’re looking forward to a great fight against the best Welterweight.”

Dominic Ingle, Trainer of Brook
“We are confident that Kell Brook will become the new Middleweight champion of the world. We’ve had a great camp in Spain. We’re in a quiet place and that’s allowing us to get on with our work away from prying eyes.”

“Kell is going to be in great shape and he has to be to fight Gennady. Kell is going to come out on top on the night – we’ve looked at Gennady and we’ll have the right plan. Kell has always says he’s going to deliver something historic and he’s done that already, and on September 10 Kell will become the new Middleweight champion of the world.”

“You have to go through the gears as Gennady is a very clever and accomplished fighter so he has to match his intelligence, power and engine. The fear in the fight makes you perform the best, we’ve addressed all those scenarios and he’ll deliver on the night.”

Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions
“With the platform of Sky Sports it really contributes to the success currently of British boxing. We really appreciate the hospitality that Eddie and his team have shown here in London.”

“The heart that Kell Brook shows as a Welterweight stepping up to fight Gennady is much bigger than the Middleweight’s that won’t get in the ring with GGG. There’s been a huge response for this fight with HBO in the United States and RTL in Germany, Gennady first fight with them and we’re excited about that.”

“This fight solves the problem for both guys trying to get opponents to get in the ring. The ticket sales were remarkable and the response to the two press conferences has been brilliant, we can’t wait for this fight.”

Eddie Hearn/Matchroom Boxing
“Every now and then you make a fight that makes your hairs on your arms stand on end – this is it. We have the best Middleweight in the World and best Welterweight in the world.”

“It’s my pleasure to bring Gennady to the UK for this wonderful fight – he’s a fighter I admire greatly and it’s great to work with Tom Loeffler and HBO.”

“Kell Brook has been with us for 13 fights and I believe he’s very special. I was in Madison Square Garden when Gennady beat David Lemieux and I had the same feeling about him. Kell is stepping up to face the best fighter in the world – and to be a great fighter you need to do great things. We’re very confident and Kell is here to win not in a no-lose situation”

Photos Courtesy/Lawrence Lustig, Matchroom Boxing

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Golovkin is known as “The Most Exciting, Hardest-Hitting, Most Feared Fighter in the World.” From recently selling out arenas in New York City (Madison Square Garden), Los Angeles (The Fabulous Forum), Carson, California (StubHub Center) and now The O2 (London) to his sponsorships with the JORDAN Brand, Apple, Samsung, and Bijan, Tsesna Bank, BI Group and EXPO 2017, Golovkin is one of the most marketable athletes in the world.

Golovkin’s record includes 22 straight knockouts in addition to 16 consecutive world title defenses. His 91.4% knockout ratio is the highest in boxing’s middleweight division history. Britain’s pound-for-pound number one fighter, Kell Brook, is out to shock the world when he steps up two weight divisions to take on the fearsome Gennady Golovkin.

The unbeaten Sheffield star achieved his childhood dream in August 2014 when he travelled to California to rip the IBF World Welterweight title from Ohio’s highly-rated and then-unbeaten Shawn Porter. He has since defended the title on three occasions, defeating Jo Jo Dan, Frankie Gavin and Kevin Bizier, all by stoppage.

SOCIAL MEDIA: For more information, visit www.MatchroomBoxing.com www.K2Promos.com, www.HBO.com/boxing, www.SkySports.com, and www.theo2.co.uk

Follow on Twitter for Gennady “GGG” Golovkin @GGGBoxing, Kell Brook at @SpecialKBrook, Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions @TomLoeffler1, Eddie Hearn @EddieHearn and Matchroom Boxing @MatchroomBoxing in addition to HBO Boxing @HBOBoxing and Sky Sports Boxing @SkySportsBoxing.

Use the hashtag #GGGBrook to join the conversation on social media.

Tickets for the WBA, WBC, IBF and IBO World Middleweight title clash between Gennady Golovkin and Kell Brook sold-out in just 11 minutes at The O2 box-office today.

Golovkin and Brook meet at the London venue on September 10 live on Sky Sports Box Office and HBO and fight fans have snapped up the tickets in a heartbeat to see pound-for-pound star Golovkin box in the UK for the first time against the unbeaten IBF World Welterweight champion.

Two more World title contests were added this week as bitter rivals Lee Haskins and Stuart Hall rematch X years after their first fight, this time with Haskins’ IBF World Bantamweight crown on the line and Charlie Edwards lands a World title shot in just his ninth pro fight as he takes on IBF Flyweight king Johnriel Casimero.

Martin J. Ward and Andy Townend clash for the vacant British Super-Featherweight title and Conor Benn tastes his fourth night of action in the paid ranks, with more fights to be added soon.

Face value tickets for September 10 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.

GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN
“I’m very happy to come back to New York City, I love this city. Thanks to Madison Square Garden, the Jordan Brand and my team.”

“Just a couple days ago, my promoter Tom Loeffler called me and said Kell Brook wants to fight me. This is big news for me, I know him, he’s very good fighter.”

“Kell Brook is the best in his division and a big test for me. It will be a great show for everybody watching on TV or in the arena.”

“The Special One” KELL BROOK
“It’s great to be in New York today. I’ve looked down in history and see what the greats did, Sugar Ray Leonard and Sugar Ray Robinson.

“It’s going to be a very hard fight; we’re going to go through hell in this training camp.”

“I want to give back to the fans and give them the best fights possible. I’m ready for the challenge Gennady Golovkin brings and ready to win the fight.”

TOM LOEFFLER/K2 Promotions
“We have to give Kell Brook a lot of credit for taking the fight. Eddie is in a similar position in regards to lining up opponents. Fights happen if both fighters want to fight and that’s why this fight came together so quickly.”

“This fight is truly the best fighting the best. The best welterweight versus the best middleweight.”

“Eddie has announced some great undercard fights which have also been added to this show. Additionally, we just announced Roman Gonzalez vs. Carlos Cuadras for September 10 in Los Angeles at the Fabulous Forum. This means we’ll have four undefeated fighters battling September 10 on HBO.”

“Gennady has sold out Madison Square Garden and the Forum in his last two fights. A young man from Kazakhstan with 22 knockouts in a row, he’s very likable guy and somebody that boxing fans want to cheer for.”

“There is a big demand for tickets and this fight will sell out quickly making it the third arena in three major cities and two countries that Gennady will have sold out. It doesn’t get any bigger than that when it comes to international marketability.”

EDDIE HEARN/Matchroom Boxing
“Tom Loeffler faced the same struggles as I, I’m so glad we were able to put together this fight in such an efficient manner.”

“Great Britain right now is the epicenter of world boxing; we have 13 world champions. Kell Brook is the best pound for pound fighter among them.”

“Kell Brook was one of the first fighters I signed as a promoter. We’ve been waiting for a night like this for a long, long time. We’ve offered numerous champions and challengers millions of dollars to fight Kell Brook and all we’ve received has been silence and bluster.”

‘To be a great you have to do something great and just like Kell Brook’s heroes Sugar Ray Leonard and Sugar Ray Robinson who moved up from welterweight to win middleweight titles, Kell Brook is a great fighter.”

“This is 71-0, 36-0 vs. 35-0, two of the very best fighters in the world.”

ABEL SANCHEZ, Trainer of Golovkin
“I look forward to matching wits with the two of the best trainers, Dominic and Brendan Ingle, in the UK. This should be the type of fight that we all remember for a long time.”

DOMINIC INGLE, Trainer of Brook
“Kell Brook is going into this fight as a massive underdog for the first time in a long time. He’s moving up two weight classes to fight the most feared man in boxing.” We’re relishing the challenge, Kell Brook has plenty of ambition. Beating Gennady Golovkin is
the greatest challenge.”

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Golovkin is known as “The Most Exciting, Hardest-Hitting, Most Feared Fighter in the World.” From recently selling out arenas in New York City (Madison Square Garden) and Los Angeles (The Fabulous Forum) in consecutive fights to his sponsorships with the JORDAN Brand, Apple, Samsung, and Bijan, Golovkin is one of the most marketable boxers in the world.

Golovkin’s record includes 22 straight knockouts in addition to 16 consecutive world title defenses. His 91.4% knockout ratio is the highest in boxing’s middleweight division history.

Britain’s pound-for-pound number one fighter, Kell Brook, is out to shock the world when he steps up two weight divisions to take on the fearsome Gennady Golovkin.

The unbeaten Sheffield star achieved his childhood dream in August 2014 when he travelled to California to rip the IBF World Welterweight title from Ohio’s highly-rated and then-unbeaten Shawn Porter by majority decision. He has since defended the title on three occasions, defeating Jo Jo Dan, Frankie Gavin and Kevin Bizier, all by stoppage.

Stuart Hall will challenge Lee Haskins for the IBF World Bantamweight title at The O2 in London on September 10, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

The hotly-anticipated rematch between the bitter rivals sees Haskins defend his title for the second time having landed the belt in spectacular fashion with a sixth round KO of Ryosuke Iwasa in June 2015 and widely outpointing Ivan Morales in his first defence in May.

Hall is out to regain the IBF title he claimed in December 2013 beating Vusi Malinga in Leeds and has revenge on his mind after losing to the Bristol man in 2012 for the European title – adding extra spice to a fight that promoter Eddie Hearn is delighted to add to a stellar bill in the capital.

“September 10 has just become even bigger with this domestic World title grudge match added to the card,” said Hearn. “It’s a real 50-50 clash and with the domestic 118lbs scene really hotting up, it’s a must win for both fighters.”

Haskins and Hall’s grudge match is the third World title clash on a huge night of boxing in Greenwich, topped by the colossal fight between pound-for-pound star Gennady Golovkin and unbeaten Welterweight king Kell Brook for Golovkin’s IBF, WBC, WBA and IBO World Middleweight straps.

Former Team GB star Charlie Edwards challenging Johnriel Casimero for the IBF World Flyweight title and unbeaten teen sensation Conor Benn tasting his fourth fight in the paid ranks.

Tickets go on sale today (Wednesday July 13) at midday to O2 Priority members at www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday July 14 at midday to Matchroom Fight Pass members from the Fight Pass area at www.matchroomboxing.com and the venue and AXS pre-sale before tickets go on general sale at www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday July 15 at midday from www.theO2.co.uk.

Tickets are priced between £40 to £500 will be available from www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202. VIP tickets are £1,000 and available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing www.matchroomboxing.com.

Face value tickets for September 10 will also be available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ from midday on Friday July 15. StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.