FORMER Gennady Golovkin opponent Matthew Macklin has stated Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s failed drug tests are ‘very disappointing’.
The former world title challenger fought Golovkin in June 2013 suffering a third round stoppage against “GGG” for the WBA world championship.
Golovkin, still unbeaten and now a unified champion was set to meet Canelo for the second time to defend his middleweight titles on Saturday (May 5), however his Mexican foe withdrew from the rematch following two failed drug tests.
“It’s very disappointing isn’t it?” Macklin said reflecting on Canelo’s withdrawal and failed tests.
Macklin continued, “I mean whatever the situation it’s just disappointing all round because if he’s knowingly taken PEDs than that’s disgusting and if he hasn’t then it’s stupid that he wasn’t aware of what he was doing.
“You would think he would be aware so either way he’s obviously going to say that he’s innocent but it’s just not a good thing for boxing.
“It’s very unsatisfactory for someone who must have taken so many tests and be well aware on what’s under the banned list so it’s disappointing.”
In a weight class packed with talent including Danny Jacobs, Jermall Charlo and the only man standing in Golovkin’s away of complete unification, WBO holder Billy Joe Saunders, Macklin reckoned developments in the 160lbs division will be paused with the rematch cancelled.
“It does put things on hold,” Macklin said.
“We don’t know what will happen now as presumably they’re going to fight each other in September, for now he has to fight Vanes Martirosyan and Martirosyan is a good fighter but he’s been inactive and really he was at his best as a light-middleweight.
“I think the Danny Jacobs rematch is a good fight and I like the Billy Joe Saunders fight, outside of Canelo they’re the two biggest names in the middleweight division.”
With Saunders set to defend his WBO crown against Martin Murray in June, and GGG vs Canelo likely to happen in September after the Mexican’s suspension expires both Charlo and Jacobs could have no one else of note to box.
Charlo is mandatory for Golovkin’s WBC title while Jacobs is next for his WBA version, there could be no better way to clear up potential squabbles about who is rightfully next in line for GGG than if the two middleweights are to meet.
“It’s a good fight, I don’t know” Macklin said discussing a potential winner between Charlo and Jacobs.
“I’m not sure as Charlo is a good fighter and Jacobs is great at his best but it’s hard to judge from his last performance.
“It’s difficult when you come off a fight against someone like Golovkin and you’re fighting guys relatively unknown it’s hard to get up for those fights but he’d certainly be able to get up for Charlo that’s a real fight.”
