Golovkin: If Canelo Doesn’t Want To Fight, I Want The WBO Belt

http://www.boxingscene.com/golovkin-if-canelo-want-fight-i-want-wbo-belt–122645

By Miguel Rivera

IBF, IBO, WBC, WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) is hoping to fight at least three to four times per year.

Because of drawn out negotiations, Golovkin has only fought twice twice per year in 2016 and 2017. Prior to that, he was fighting three to four times a year.

In 2017, he won a very close twelve round unanimous over Daniel Jacobs in March at New York’s Madison Square Garden, and then came back in September to fight to a twelve round split draw with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

There are ongoing discussions for Golovkin to face Canelo in a rematch on May 5th, likely at T-Mobile. Both sides are on board with the fight, but right now it’s all about the financial terms coming together.

Last month, Canelo was officially  made the mandatory challenger to Golovkin’s WBC title. The next fighter in line for a crack at that belt is undefeated contender Jermall Charlo.

If that rematch falls through, then Golovkin would like to unify all of the middleweight belts – and there is only one remaining, the WBO title.

Next month, WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders will travel to Canada to defend his title against former IBF champion David Lemieux. Golovkin stopped Lemieux two years ago to pick up the IBF strap.

Saunders has already made it clear that if he beats Lemieux, then the next fight he wants would be Golovkin – unless GGG was defeated by Canelo.

“I would love to fight three or four times a year but I know it’s difficult. If Canelo does not want the fight, then obviously I would love to unify. I can not put pressure on the WBO champion but if he wants I will be willing because my dream is to have all the titles,” Golovkin said to ESPN Deportes.

By Miguel Rivera –

World Boxing Organization super middleweight world champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez (34-0, 24KOs) will defend his belt for the first time on the 23rd of July at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as part of the HBO Pay-Per-View undercard to Terence Crawford vs. Viktor Postol.

Ramirez captured the world title at the same venue on April 9th with a twelve round decision over longtime champion Arthur Abraham on the Pacquaio-Bradley undercard.

According to Ramirez’s co-promoter, Jesus Zapari – he really wants to get in the ring with WBA/IBO/IBF middleweight champion Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs).

Ramirez’s other promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, is fully on board to make that fight.

“We just need to see the opponent, but the date is July 23 in the co-feature of Crawford and Postol on HBO Pay-Per-View,” said Zapari to ESPN Deportes. “I think there’s enough time for a good preparation. I think 12 to 13 weeks is a good timeframe, and we’re expecting nothing other than Bob Arum telling us the opponent.”

Golovkin is the mandatory challenger to the WBC middleweight title held by Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. If Canelo defeats Amir Khan on May 7th, and the refuses to fight Golovkin, then Ramirez is ready to step in there for a fight.

Golovkin says Ramirez needs to raise his profile with a few more fights. The upcoming July date will be Ramirez’s second fight on HBO PPV.

“If he wants it. We’re ready to go ahead. We are ready to fight him and right here is a true Mexican,” Ramirez said.

Zapari says Ramirez will raise himself to a new level by facing someone like Golovkin.

“We like that fight, it is what we want. I definitely do not see it as an easy fight for Golovkin. I think which it is one of those fights that would launch Ramirez to great heights,” Zapari said.

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