Gennady Golovkin gains promotional deal with Jordan Brand

Boxing fans around the world are familiar with Gennady Golovkin. Now corporate America is taking notice.

The undefeated middleweight champion from Kazakhstan has signed a multi-year deal with Jordan Brand sportswear. Golovkin has been wearing the Jordan gear during his training in Big Bear, California, for his fight against Dominic Wade on April 23 at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

Golovkin (34-0, 31 knockouts) is only the third boxer to get a deal with Jordan. The others are Andre Ward and Roy Jones Jr.

“He grew up watching Michael Jordan, and he thought the athletes who wore the Jordan Brand were the best in the world and he wanted to be part of that,” said Tom Loeffler, Golovkin’s manager. “Now that Gennady has established himself in the States, we felt this was the perfect time to partner with the Jordan Brand.”

Golovkin, the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council interim middleweight champ, said now is not the time to take any backward steps.

“Every fight is important,” Golovkin said of his IBF mandatory title defense against Wade (18-0, 12 KOs). “My division is very important. My goal is to hold all the belts, so I have to keep winning.”

FREE FIGHTS

Golden Boy Promotions decided to add something to its first card at T-Mobile Arena: free boxing the day before.

Fans who attend the May 6 weigh-in at Toshiba Plaza for the May 7 Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan fight are invited to stay for the card, which follows the weigh-in.

Lightweight Petr Petrov meets Marvin Quintero in the 10-round main event. In the co-feature, Pablo Cesar Cano faces Alan Sanchez in a 10-round junior welterweight bout.

“Golden Boy Promotions is giving back to all the boxing fans in Las Vegas and kicking off Cinco de Mayo weekend on May 6 with an action-packed night of free boxing to get everyone warmed up for Canelo versus Khan,” Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya said.

The first bell is scheduled for 4 p.m. Estrella TV will televise the card.

BOGERE BACK

The Lion is returning to the ring.

Lightweight Sharif Bogere is hoping his association with Mayweather Promotions and Premier Boxing Champions will result in another world title shot. The Uganda native, who moved to Las Vegas in 2008, will face Luis Flores (21-3, 17 KOs) in a 10-round bout April 30 in Washington, D.C., on the undercard of Badou Jack’s WBC super middleweight title defense against Lucian Bute on a Showtime-televised card.

Bogere (27-1, one no contest, 19 KOs) lost to Richar Abril for the WBA lightweight title in 2013.

”I’m excited,” Bogere said. “I haven’t fought in eight months, so I’m anxious to get back in the ring.”

An Achilles tendon injury in September sidelined Bogere. He didn’t need surgery but couldn’t train. He resumed training a couple of months ago, and with veteran trainer Kenny Adams in his corner, Bogere said he’s good to go.

“I feel stronger,” he said. “I’m maturing physically, and I’m more comfortable with my boxing.”

Bogere said he hopes to position himself for a title fight late this year or in 2017.

“Golden Boy was good to me,” Bogere said of his former promoter. “But I wasn’t getting many fights. Hopefully Mayweather will keep me busy and get me a title shot.”

Contact Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow on Twitter: @stevecarprj