By Edward Chaykovsky
WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders (24-0, 12 KOs) is still very confident in his ability to overcome Gennady Golovkin (36-0, 33 KOs), who holds the IBO, IBF, WBC, WBA middleweight belts.
Saunders made the first defense of his WBO title last month with a hard-fought win over Artur Akavov.
Without giving away any hints, Saunders revealed that a deal is very close for a "major" fight that would see him travel overseas. There is a lot of speculation that Saunders could be facing Golovkin.
If that's actually true, the fight would only be possible if Golovkin defeats his mandatory challenger Daniel Jacobs on March 18th at New York's Madison Square Garden. The fight with Jacobs is far from a walkover win. The once beaten Jacobs (32-1, 29 KOs) is regarded as the most talented and most dangerous opponent of Golovkin's career.
According to Saunders, this "mega fight" will be announced next week.
"My fight will be announced next week and I've been a long time waiting for this fight," said Saunders. "It will be a game changer for me. It's one mega fight and we're within touching distance – it's a serious all round fight, serious money, serious opposition and a serious title at stake."
Saunders would not confirm any names, but said Golovkin was the best fighter in boxing and the ultimate goal was get Golovkin in the ring and beat him - at all costs. If dirty tactics are needed, Saunders will jam an elbow in Golovkin's face to break his mental state.
"Golovkin is the best fighter on the planet, but to be the best you've got to beat the best. Without giving too much away, a lot of people, when they get in the ring with him, they are already a beaten man. When he's beating them they just gives in. I won't be bullied by him – I'll run an elbow into him if I have to. I haven't seen anyone box him who has got a little bit of stand up," Saunders said.