by David P. Greisman

Middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin’s next appearance will see him defend his World Boxing Association belt, and International Boxing Organization title, against Osumanu Adama in Monte Carlo on Feb. 1, according to a news release from promoter Golden Gloves.

“Gennady has been very forthright in his commitment to staying active and fighting the toughest opposition available,” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, which promotes Golovkin, in a statement within the press release.

Golovkin, a 31-year-old knockout artist, had a notable 2013, scoring three wins on HBO — stopping Gabriel Rosado in January, putting Matthew Macklin down on a body shot in June, and beating Curtis Stevens down in November. He’s had four appearances on the network, including a win last year over Grzegorz Proksa.

Golovkin’s also stayed busy even when not on HBO; he fought in Monte Carlo this past March, scoring a highlight-reel knockout of Nobuhiro Ishida.

He’s 28-0 with 25 KOs.

Adama, 32, is from Ghana but now fights out of Chicago. He is 22-3 with 16 knockouts, those losses coming to Dyah Davis in 2009, Donovan George in 2010, and then-titleholder Daniel Geale in 2012.

Since losing to Geale, Adama took a split decision over Grady Brewer this past March and then stopped journeyman Doel Carrasquillo in July.

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