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RADP / Pulse Ghana  >  Sports  >  Boxing

Golovkin camp critical of Eubank Jr hesitation

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Chris Eubank Jr missed out of fighting Gennady Golovkin because of hesitation in negotiating, says the Kazakh's promoter.

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Gennady Golovkin's promoter has taken a swipe at Chris Eubank Jr after delays in negotiations saw a bout between the two middleweights fall through.

Golovkin was expected to defend his status as undisputed middleweight champion of the world against Eubank Jr later this year, however arranging the fight proved difficult.

With Eubank Jr reportedly hesitating, Golovkin's camp quickly arranged a title defence against unbeaten IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, who will step up two weight divisions, for September 10 in London.

Tom Loeffler – Golovkin's representative – confirmed Eubank Jr was the initial target for the Kazakh fighter, but they were not prepared to be kept waiting, especially with Brook in the wings.

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"We thought the Eubank Jr fight was going to happen but, last Wednesday, [Eubank Jr's promoter Eddie Hearn] called me and said there's problems," he told Sky Sports.

"That's when he suggested he would call Brook, to see if he would be interested in the fight.

"Brook agreed to the fight verbally, and we had the deal done within two days with the same deal that [Hearn] offered to Eubank Jr.

"We got the deal done in two days with Brook for the same arena, the same date. Brook wanted to fight - he knows it's the biggest fight of his career.

"It's a lot easier when both fighters want to make a fight."

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And Loffler hinted Eubank Jr could not match the bravado outside of the ring by going head-to-head with Golovkin.

He added: "It's one thing being vocal, and talking about fighting someone.  If you really want to fight, you do what you can to make the fight.

"I give Brook a lot of credit for stepping up. It's a huge opportunity for him - and a huge opportunity for Gennady too."

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