The undefeated middleweight kingpin, Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1) was at the centre of yet another boxing controversy less than a month ago, when he engaged into a career-defining battle with Saul Canelo Alvarez. Many had felt Gennady had done more than enough by outworking and landing more than his opponent to cruise to a unanimous decision victory only for the scorecards to read a split review leading to a controversial draw.
But what we are looking at here, is analysing the options that are available to ‘GGG’. Where does he go next, what does he look to achieve? the five most viable outcomes for his 19th consecutive professional engagement with the World Middleweight Championship at stake …
– JERMALL CHARLO
The dangerous, undefeated 26-0 former World Jr Middleweight Champion represents a dangerous foray into the unknown for ‘GGG’. It represents a dangerous challenge from arguably one of the finest of the crop of next generation of young and hungry fighters with a point to prove, Charlo showed the uncanny ability to knock genuine world level opponents cold with a single blow and furthermore he displays a certain mean streak in the way he fights given the way he seeks his opponent out and forces pressure on them to exchange with him. It represents a challenge that Golovkin may perhaps best avoid given the amount of risk taken and the minimal reward given he is entering the twilight stage of his career. Nonetheless, this is a fight bound to occur in the near future as Charlo secured the WBC’s mandatory position with a TKO stoppage victory in the 4th round against Argentina’s Jorge Sebastian Heiland.
– SERGIY DEREVYCHENKO
Again, another mandatory obligation on Golovkin’s radar served up to him by the IBF. He has racked up 11 consecutive victories with 9 of those coming by of knockout including Tureano Johnson who was felled in the 12th round of their final eliminator bout. Arguably the least likely of all the candidates, given his relatively unknown status and the fact he doesn’t weigh up well in direct comparison with the other more lucrative propositions Golovkin has on his plate.
– BILLY JOE SAUNDERS
Saunders and Golovkin have often circled each other in the years that have passed only for boxing fans to be left ultimately disappointed, for one reason or another a deal could never be reached. It has been cited that the reason for the delay was due to exceedingly grand financial demands from Saunders.
Golovkin’s mantra from the very start has always been, ‘All the belts’ and the reality is while Billy Joe Saunders wears the WBO strap, Golovkin’s goal cannot be reached. But again, this is another option that seems untenable given the WBO’s recent ruling obligating Saunders to defend the championship against Canada’s David Lemieux.
– DANIEL JACOBS
‘Unfinished business’ is a phrase that has long been thrown around the boxing fraternity and that is certainly the case here, some still say Jacobs represents to this day, Golovkin’s sternest opposition to date and I include his recent bout with Canelo in those assumptions. Jacobs fought gallantly holding his ground after showing the heart and will of a champion to climb off the floor in the fight’s early stages. Jacobs has just signed to Matchroom boxing and signed a multi-fight deal with HBO after leaving the prominent Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions’ roster which does make another matchup with Golovkin much easier this time around. There hasn’t been much clamouring for this outcome though given the upcoming November 11 clash ‘The Miracle Man’ has with Luis Arias.
– GILBERTO RAMIREZ
Floyd Mayweather Jr recently stated his assumption in a conversation with Sky Sports. “What we want to see is this: we’ve seen Sugar Ray Leonard go up in weight, Roberto Duran go up in weight, we’ve had so many legendary fighters go up in weight but my nephew’s favourite fighter, Triple G, has yet to go up in weight”. It has often been said that a fighter shows his true worth when he goes up in weight and tests his abilities against men with significant size and strength advantages and a test such as ‘The Golden Southpaw’ 36-0 Gilberto Ramirez fits the bill as that challenge, it has been touted but it remains to be seen whether its possible we see Ramirez and Golovkin lock horns.
– CANELO ALVAREZ
As much as we argue the case otherwise, it is readily apparent all roads point towards a mega money-spinning event with Canelo for Cinco De Mayo weekend. Scoring aside, Canelo did show his resilience and toughness and the fact he is a match for Golovkin and looked very good in spots regardless of how fleeting those spots were. Canelo makes the most logical sense given the fact he represents the biggest payday and boasts the most sizable following … But here is to hoping that next time around, we are presented with the correct decision.