By Sean Jones: Gennady Golovkin says he’s willing to fight at super middleweight to get interesting fights in the future. GGG is facing Sergiy Derevyacnchenko (13-1, 10 KOs) on October 5 for the vacant IBF middleweight title on DAZN at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Big fights available for GGG at 168
Golovkin’s new promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing wants to match him against WBA Super World super middleweight champion Callum Smith and WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders at 168. Those fights won’t create a lot of interest in the U.S, but in the UK fans will want to see them. However, all those dreams will be pointless for Golovkin if he doesn’t win his next fight against Derevyanchenko in less than two weeks.
Although Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KOs) is fighting for the vacant IBF belt, it’s not his goal any longer to round up all the 160-lb titles. He just wants to entertain. He says he’s not longer focused on winning world titles. It’s now more about making money, entertaining the boxing fans and staying healthy for him.
Golovkin willing to fight at 168
“We didn’t have a lot of time. Two weeks for Steve Rolls,” said Golovkin to Secondsout in talking about his last fight against 35-year-old Rolls. “Johnathon [Banks], he brings a lot of new ideas. I feel very good. Four rounds, a big knockout, and a big show. Why not? This is boxing. Right now, I feel more comfortable, because I have a lot of time. The second camp with him, Johnathon. I feel more comfortable. I feel like a big champion. My next fight is two belts, a big championship fight. I feel very excited. My goal is to stay healthy, and bring a lot of money, and give my fans a good show.
“This is my goal. Not all belts, because sometimes boxing. Right now boxing is a crazy business. Belts are only for business. Right now I stay a little bit up. I want a good business deal. Absolutely, right now we have a beautiful road. I have so many names, champions. Why not?” said Golovkin when asked if he’d be willing to move up to 168 to fight some of the guys in that weight class.
“We didn’t have a lot of time. Two weeks for Steve Rolls,” said Golovkin to Secondsout in talking about his last fight against 35-year-old Rolls. “Johnathon [Banks], he brings a lot of new ideas. I feel very good. Four rounds, a big knockout, and a big show. Why not? This is boxing. Right now, I feel more comfortable, because I have a lot of time. The second camp with him, Johnathon. I feel more comfortable. I feel like a big champion. My next fight is two belts, a big championship fight. I feel very excited. My goal is to stay healthy, and bring a lot of money, and give my fans a good show.
“This is my goal. Not all belts, because sometimes boxing. Right now boxing is a crazy business. Belts are only for business. Right now I stay a little bit up. I want a good business deal. Absolutely, right now we have a beautiful road. I have so many names, champions. Why not?” said Golovkin when asked if he’d be willing to move up to 168 to fight some of the guys in that weight class.
There’s nothing wrong with Golovkin going after the money fights. Saul Canelo Alvarez is doing it now in moving up to 175 to take on WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev on November 2. If Canelo is focusing on the money fights, then GGG shouldn’t be blamed for doing the same thing.
GGG excited about Derevyanchenko fight
“I know him for a long time. He’s a very good fighter, and this is very good opponent for me,” said Golovkin about his next fight against Derevyanchenko. “This is a very good test. Right now we bring two belts for this fight. He has very good experience from amateur boxing. He looks very good in his last couple of fights. He’s very strong, and very interesting. I respect my new partner Eddie Hearn. This is like a collaboration. I think he’s the best right now.
“I want to work with the best guys in boxing. This is better for fans, and for business. I think right now I have good position. Absolutely,” said Golovkin when asked if he’d be interested in fighting in London, England. “Right now I have different countries. We have Joshua and Ruiz fighting in Saudi Arabia. So many interesting places. Right now, we stay more smart. We had a good experience. I feel much better. Right now it’s a completely different situation. 100 percent better,” said Golovkin.
168 = tough division for Golovkin
Golovkin needs to be sure he really wants to fight at super middleweight before he makes that plunge, because Hearn isn’t talking about matching him soft. Canelo had it soft in moving up to 168, and taking on Rocky Fielding. That was an easy fight that almost anyone at 160 would win. Canelo didn’t stick his neck out to take on Callum Smith, David Benavidez, Caleb Plant or Saunders. He took a weak opponent in Fielding. If Golovkin moves up to super middleweight, hes going to be expected to fight Callum or Saunders. Those are tough outs for GGG. It might not be worth it. After all, Canelo didn’t fight those guys, so why should Golovkin?
Are you ready? #GGGDerevyanchenko 💥 pic.twitter.com/RuVTsOlD5q
— Gennadiy Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) September 23, 2019