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Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan won’t fight Gennady Golovkin; GGG’s May 5 date in jeopardy

Fighters Network
11
Apr

Ever since Canelo Alvarez withdraw from his highly anticipated rematch with Gennady Golovkin, there’s been one front-runner to fill his shoes: Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan.

The Irishman, like Canelo, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, and fits the bill as a low-risk opponent who won’t threaten the prospects of a rematch between Golovkin and Alvarez for September.

However, the negotiations dragged on, and with just three-and-a-halfs weeks to fight night, Spike O’Sullivan removed himself from consideration, unhappy with the prospect of a fight on short notice for short money. Instead, he’ll compete on Golden Boy’s ESPN show on May 4, Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez told THE RING.

While O’Sullivan has a fight date, there’s growing speculation that Golovkin won’t defend his middleweight titles at all on May 5. Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler could not be reached for comment.



The process of finding a foe for GGG is complicated by the IBF’s quandary regarding mandatory challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko. Promoter Lou DiBella sent an letter to the organization requesting that the fight between Derevyanchenko and GGG be ordered immediately. Golovkin holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles at 160 pounds.

The sanctioning bodies have a rotation system in place to ensure fighters who hold all three belts can all fulfill their mandatory obligations. So with Alvarez off the table for May 5 after he tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol, DiBella is pushing for the Olympian to grab his opportunity.

“I believe that whatever happens on May 5, if Canelo is suspended, and Saunders is fighting (Martin Murray) in June, then our mandatory is due, period end of story,” DiBella told THE RING. “Arrange for the mandatory.”

Loeffler was placed in the predicament and he’s been forced to scramble at the 11th hour. There simply may not be enough time to salvage a fight for Golovkin on May 5.

Mike Coppinger is the Senior Writer for RingTV.com. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeCoppinger

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