Golovkin's next fight: 'GGG' set to fight in March or April, says promoter
IBF, IBO, and WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin is set to return in the boxing ring in March or April, according to his promoter Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) is believed to be scheduled to fight in May and September next year, two major Mexican holiday weekends. With a potential Canelo-Golovkin superfight most likely set for September, the undefeated Kazakh is bound to face other top middleweight fighters like Daniel Jacobs or the winner between Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders' match in March or April, according to Loeffler.
“We would prefer to unify,” Loeffler said, reports the LA Times. “The economics that Gennady brings now make it a completely different scenario.”
Jacobs (31-1, 28 KOs) came off a remarkable win over Peter Quillin (32-11, 23 KOs) earlier this month in New York, while Lee (34-2-1, 24 KOs) and Saunders (22-0, 12 KOs) are about to settle their score this coming weekend at the Manchester Arena. Another possible opponent for Golovkin is WBC Silver middleweight champ Tureano Johnson, who holds a record of 19 wins, one loss and 13 knockouts.
However, Loeffler admitted that the timeframe for Golovkin’s next match could still depend on the opponent’s availability.
The WBC has given Alvarez another extension to negotiate with mandatory challenger Golovkin (34-0, 31 KOs) for the middleweight title belt. According to the statement released by the governing body on Monday (Tuesday AEDT), Alvarez, as well as "GGG," will be allowed to take on a voluntary title defence in May 2016. The WBC also stated that both fighters will be required to negotiate immediately after their next fight or beginning on a window that starts on May 31, 2016.
"Canelo vs. GGG is one of the most important events in the sport of boxing and their promotional companies and partners have been communicating openly and in good faith," the statement read via Boxing Scene. "The ultimate goal of all involved is to make certain that the best conditions are secured for their fighters and the boxing world, and to preserve their full commitment to abide by, and respect, the governing WBC Rules & Regulations."
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