 Brook was scheduled to fight in a unification bout against then-WBO champion Jessie Vargas, whereas there was negotiations for Golovkin to fight Chris Eubank Jr.; however, negotiations fell through and promoter Eddie Hearn offered the Golovkin fight to Brook, who agreed to move up two weight divisions to challenge Golovkin.This was Golovkin's 17th world title defence.The fight aired in the United States on HBO and on Sky Box Office pay-per-view in the United Kingdom.