DAZN set to lock in Gennady Golovkin

Streaming platform service DAZN is close to agreeing to a multi-fight rights deal with former unified middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin, according to the Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger.

BREAKING: Gennady Golovkin and DAZN are close to finalizing a multi-fight deal, according to industry sources. The package includes three guaranteed fights on the platform and as many as six. Deal also gives GGG equity in the company and guaranteed dates for GGG Promotions

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) February 24, 2019

The Kazakhstani boxer, who right now isn’t signed to a partner broadcaster, is expected to be ready to sign a package deal with the sports streaming service which includes equity in the business, an element that was not even featured in Matchroom’s US$1 billion deal signed last year.

The package includes three guaranteed fights on the platform and as many as six. Also as part of the agreement, Golovkin is also reported to have a guarantee that his Los Angeles-based boxing promotion company GGG Promotions would be involved in the scheduling of his fights.

The 36-year-old Golovkin (38-1-1, 34 KO) hasn’t stepped into the since Canelo Alvarez suffered his first career loss on Golovkin during their rematch last September, taking the division’s WBC and WBA belts following a heated draw during their first encounter in September 2017 a the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Canelo Alvarez has since they last fought signed a ten-fight deal with DAZN in October, understood to be worth in the region of US$365million. By teaming up with his Mexican rival at the DAZN streaming platform, the report also speculates a rights deal that will set up a third matchup between the two fighters, which could earn Golovkin in excess of US $30 million.

If everything lines up for the deal with Alvarez getting past Daniel Jacobs on Cinco De Mayo weekend, the potential third battle could be scheduled to take place as early as the fall of this year.

Despite interest and opportunities from other networks, which include Showtime and ESPN, Golovkin apparently came to an agreement with DAZN following several meetings with executive chairman John Skipper and Matchroom managing director Eddie Hearn.