Jorge Linares re-ups with Golden Boy

While WBC lightweight champion Jorge Linares is currently in talks to face WBA champion Anthony Crolla in a title unification match later this year, he has just inked a multi-year extension with Golden Boy Promotions. The specific terms of the deal were not disclosed but Linares will also continue to be co-promoted by Teiken Promotions.

"Golden Boy Promotions is an elite promoter and they have treated me well over the years, so there was no question that I was going to re-sign with them," Linares said in a press release. "We've still got work to do in this sport, and I'm confident that we will achieve more great moments together in the future.

Linares (40-3, 27 KOs), is one of the best pure boxing stylists on the planet, and a personal favorite of mine, but has a history of his chin and skin failing on him -- particularly in his three losses to Juan Carlos Salgado, Antonio DeMarco, and Sergio Thompson. But Linares has won nine straight fights since his last loss to Thompson and looks like he's straightened out his issues as best as he ever will -- although durability will never be his strongest attribute.

"Jorge Linares is an elite talent who continues to impress every time out — at only 30 years old, the best is yet to come for him," Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya said in the release. "There are a lot of big fights out there for Jorge, and we're going to pull out all the stops to give him the platform he deserves."

Linares really is a beautiful boxer, and hopefully the unification fight against Crolla (31-4-3, 13 KOs) comes together as anticipated. It's definitely an interesting match-up on paper.