By Carlos Boogs, Ryan Burton
Former two division world champion Timothy Bradley believes Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (48-1-1, 34KOs) is making the right decision by holding off on facing middleweight king Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (36-0, 33KOs) until September of 2017.
Golovkin was pushing to face Canelo this fall. After knocking out Amir Khan in May of this year, Canelo had made it appear as if he was going to take Golovkin up on his challenge for a fall fight.
Fans were disappointed when changed his direction by dropping down to 154-pounds to capture the WBO junior middleweight title from Liam Smith in September. The fight is now being negotiated for Mexican Independence Day weekend in September of next year.
In the opinion of Bradley, Golovkin needs to build his name up. He doesn't believe Golovkin has done enough to be a household name or call any shots with Canelo.
"I wouldn't accept the fight [if I was Canelo], and I know people are going to hate me for this, but I feel like.... Triple G... he's knocked out everybody he's faced, I get it... and nobody will fight him... I get it. But has he really done enough? Has he really done enough? No way. Not yet. To me the fight could be bigger next year. That's perfect, that makes sense. We don't build fights the way we used to. I remember when I would watch two fighters, who are going to face each other, fight on the same card. They would fight on the same card. Build it up," Bradley said.
"You think that everybody [knows GGG]? Does the girl who do your laundry, where you go to get your clothes done... does she know Triple G? But does she know Manny Pacquiao, does she know Canelo? Thank you, that's what I'm talking about. [Golovkin] could get a couple of more fights in, build his name, ask for more money."