KAZAKH middleweight Gennady Golovkin returned to boxing without his world titles but with his familiar knockout power, halting Canada’s Steve Rolls at 2-09 of the fourth round at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday.
It was Golovkin’s first bout since losing a decision to Canelo Alvarez last year. He has come back a shade heavier, three pounds over the middleweight limit, but with bad intentions and will now hope set up a trilogy fight with his Mexican rival. Both share the same US broadcaster in DAZN. Though Canelo, who now holds the WBC, WBA and IBF 160lb titles, is keen to unify the division, a third fight between the two is one of the biggest that can be made in the sport.
This was Golovkin’s first fight with new trainer Johnathon Banks but rather than take any more time to gel, he is keen to go straight to that third Canelo fight.
“Everybody knows. Everybody knows,” Golovkin said. “First guys, of course, I’m ready for Canelo in September. I’m ready to come out. Just ask him… If you want a big drama show, please tell him.
“I believe [we will fight] because this is boxing. This is boxing business. Why not, you know?”
