By Gregory Stangrit, Zhanar Utesheva

Oleg Hermann, manager of IBO/WBA/WBC/IBF middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs), says there is no comparison between their decision to fight Kell Brook - and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's decision to face Amir Khan in May.

On Friday the boxing world was stunned when Matchroom Sport and K2 Promotions announced that a deal was finalized for Golovkin to defend his titles against Brook on September 10th at the O2 Arena in London.

The fight is taking place at the full middleweight limit of 160-pounds with Brook, the IBF champion at 147-pounds, moving up by thirteen pounds.

From the moment Golovkin-Brook was announced, fans and critics immediately compared the fight to Canelo-Khan. Most observers were equally stunned in February when it was announced that Khan, who never fought beyond 147, was moving up by eight-pounds to challenge Canelo at a catch-weight of 155. Even Golovkin himself called the contest a physical mismatch and a 'business fight.'

Hermann says there are very big differences in the matter. He says Canelo had numerous options at his feet - including a mandatory defense against Golovkin, and an army of fighters from 154 to 160 who were lining up to fight him. In Golovkin's case, they tried to make a fight with Canelo - who passed until September 2017. Then they tried with WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders, who wasn't very interested. And then they tried with Chris Eubank Jr, who couldn't reach a deal with his own promoter.

"These two cases can not even be compared with trying to blame anything on Gennady. Between him and Alvarez - there is a big difference. Canelo had a choice of boxers from his division and he was even obligated to fight us, but he chose another option. Gennady did not have the same choices, and in fact everyone avoided him, no one wants to fight him. Everyone can say what they want and get PR in the press, but when it comes to signing the contracts - everyone disappears. This was confirmed by the latest case [with Eubank]," Hermann said.

"We decided on Brook not because he's comfortable opponent or we view him as less of a risk, but because he has a great name, a good track record for growth, he doesn't give up. Everyone knows that Gennady is ready to come up against any opponent, and not just talk about it. But while Gennady says something and does what he says, the other middleweights only talk and mention Golovkin's name - only to get more references to themselves in the press. I emphasize again, we do not run from anybody, we are open to suggestions and willing to negotiate with anyone - but with real negotiations - not a loud exchange of statements on Twitter."