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SPORTS Friday 13 april 2018
Frustrated Golovkin struggling to book Canelo replacement

By GREG BEACHAM said. "Right now, it's three
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gen- weeks from Saturday. The
nady Golovkin is growing arenas are all still working
frustrated with boxing's with us. The networks are
sanctioning bodies while working with us. ... Unfor-
he struggles to find a re- tunately, when you have
placement opponent for fights like this that fall out,
Canelo Alvarez on May 5. not everything is under our
Golovkin and his promoter control. We're under the
and trainer appeared in gun now just to save May
downtown Los Angeles on 5."
Thursday to announce they Loeffler said he has worked
still haven't found a suitable extensively to reach a deal
replacement, and time is with a new opponent while
running out. still keeping happy all three
"I'm hungry," said Golovkin, sanctioning bodies behind
who turned 36 years old Golovkin's middleweight
last Sunday. "Just give me belts — a nearly impossible
a fight." chore in the fractious world
The unbeaten middle- of prizefighting.
weight champion's re- Although Loeffler repeat-
match with Alvarez in Las edly declined to go into
Vegas fell through after the extensive details about
Mexican star failed a dop- the obstacles in place,
ing test in February and Golovkin is determined to
finally withdrew from the avoid being stripped of In this Sept. 17, 2017 file photo shows Gennady Golovkin, left, connects with a left to Canelo Al-
varez during a middleweight title fight in Las Vegas. Golovkin is growing frustrated with boxing's
bout last week. any titles by the sanction- sanctioning bodies while he struggles to find a replacement opponent for Canelo Alvarez on May
Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) is ing bodies. 5.
still in training for a fight on Unlike Floyd Mayweather
Cinco de Mayo weekend, and other champions who the four major sanctioning willing to fight the little- and former U.S. Olympian
but he doesn't appear to view title belts as relatively bodies. known Ukrainian contend- Vanes Martirosyan all have
be much closer to finding a unimportant, Golovkin priz- With that mandate from his er, Loeffler believes the been discussed for the
suitable opponent for what es his reign as a decorated champion, Loeffler is hav- matchup would be much bout. Martirosyan seems
would be his 20th defense champion after he fought ing trouble reconciling the less lucrative than other po- to be the most likely candi-
of his 160-pound titles. in Europe for years without desires of the IBF, WBA and tential matchups. date, with the boxers prob-
Promoter Tom Loeffler be- attention or title belts. Af- WBC in finding a replace- "If we had enough time, we ably fighting in the famed
lieves he must finalize a ter concluding his lucrative ment for Alvarez. The IBF could promote that bout," outdoor ring in Carson, Cal-
deal by "the middle of next business with Alvarez, Go- is particularly strident in its Loeffler said. "It would be ifornia, but Loeffler hasn't
week" to stage a bout on a lovkin's ultimate dream is to opposition to any oppo- much more difficult in a closed the deal.
traditionally huge date for fight Britain's Billy Joe Saun- nent except mandatory short period of time like we "I'm a little disappointed
boxing. ders for the WBO middle- challenger Sergiy Derevy- have right now." because there's no oppo-
"At some point, we're going weight title, the only one anchenko. Irish contender Gary "Spike" nent," said Golovkin's train-
to run out of time," Loeffler he doesn't hold among While Golovkin would be O'Sullivan, Jermell Charlo er, Abel Sanchez.q

AP source: Browns near contract extension with Jarvis Landry

By TOM WITHERS been finalized. ESPN first re- picks in the draft later this
AP Sports Writer ported Landry's extension. month and are expected
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jarvis Landry led the NFL with 112 to select a quarterback.
Landry is about to make a receptions last season and The Dolphins drafted
major grab. his new contract is expect- Landry in the second round
The star wide receiver is ed to make him one of the in 2014 out of LSU. He's
close to finalizing a multi- league's highest paid pass blossomed into one of the
year contract extension catchers. game's top playmakers; his
with the Cleveland Browns, The Browns, who are com- 400 catches are the most
who believe the three-time ing off a 0-16 season, ac- for any player in his first
Pro Bowler can hasten their quired Landry from Mi- four seasons. Landry has
turnaround. The team and ami in a trade last month. racked up 4,038 yards and
Landry's representatives Cleveland sent a fourth- 22 touchdowns.
are closing in on a deal, a round pick in 2018 and sev- When Landry arrived in
person with direct knowl- enth-rounder in 2019 to the Cleveland, new Browns
edge of the negotiations Dolphins, who had signed general manager John In this March 15, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Browns' Jarvis Landry
told The Associated Press Landry to a $16 million, one- Dorsey said the 25-year-old speaks at an NFL football press conference in Berea, Ohio. In
on Thursday. year franchise tag to make fit all the criteria the team this March 15, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Browns' Jarvis Landry
The sides remain in talks but the exchange possible. wanted. speaks at an NFL football press conference in Berea, Ohio.
expect to complete the The acquisition of Landry "He has marvelous stats,"
contract soon, according was one of several major Dorsey said. "He's a Pro will be ideal in the slot re- consistently talk about. Are
to the person who spoke offseason moves made Bowler. He has a presence ceiver position. He loves to they competitive? Do they
on condition of anonymity by the Browns, who have about him and the way he play the football game. He love the game of football?
because the deal has not the No. 1 and No. 4 overall plays the game. I think he is one of those guys that we I think he fits that model."q