Golovkin’s new opponent?

Boxingnews24.com

By Mark McCourt

Since the withdrawal of Saul Canelo Alvarez from the May 5th Cinco D’Mayo fight against Gennady Golovkin speculation has reached fever pitch. We seem to get a new opponent announced almost hourly. The unheralded and unheard-of Jaime Munguia appears that be the newest name thrown into the mix.

With a record of 28-0 with 24 by knockout, it initially sounded promising until you realize Munguia has campaigned and super welterweight and hasn’t fought anyone worth mentioning. Middleweight contender Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan is another name being consistently thrown around and has reportedly agreed to the terms, whatever that means.

I think it’s safe to say that no one knows what’s going on with Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) at the minute, and the vast majority of these articles are nothing more than click bait. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if none of the names being mentioned end up with the fight. Apparently, Golovkin’s promoter still intend on holding it as a pay-per-view event on HBO on May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In my opinion there is only one name they could pick that would allow this to work and that would be Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Whilst he would be just as easy an opponent as Spike O’Sullivan or Jaime Munguia, he is a former middleweight world champion with a big name in Mexico. It would also give Golovkin an opponent that could not be stopped by Canelo, so would allow him to make a statement by doing a demolition job on him. The likelihood of that happening is slim as it’s likely Chavez currently weighs 200lbs, but you just never know.

In the meantime, I think we will all be better off taking all the reports of Golovkin’s new opponent with a huge helping of salt. Until a press conference is held I’m not going to believe anything I read. Unfortunately, with the quick turnaround needed unless they are willing to give massive ground on a purse I don’t think we can expect a decent opponent. The likes of Demetrius Andrade have put Golovkin’s name in their mouths but are less likely to agree to fight without getting a substantial purse.

Fingers crossed we don’t end up with some no names fighter sharing the ring with Golovkin but if we do we only have one person to blame and that’s Canelo. Whether he knowingly consumed the banned substance clenbuterol or is so unprofessional that he consumed meat in Mexico with absolute disregard. He is the man to blame for whatever fight we end up with.

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