Golovkin Warns Saunders: I Want Your Belt, That is My Goal!
By Miguel Rivera
WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders (23-0 12 KOs) is wanted man - with just about everyone targeting his world title.
Nobody in the middleweight division is more focused on getting Saunders in the ring than IBO/IBF/WBC/WBA champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (36-0, 33KOs). Saunders is holding the only title outside of Golovkin's grasp.
Saunders is presently preparing for the first defense of his title, against Russia’s Artur Akavov (16-1 7 KOs) on Frank Warren’s November card at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff show, live and exclusive on BoxNation. Saunders has been out of the ring since capturing the title last December with a decision win over Ireland's Andy Lee.
Golovkin was scheduled to make a mandatory defense on December 10th against challenger Daniel Jacobs in New York City. They were unable to reach an agreement in time and now that date has been scrapped. They are now looking towards an HBO televised date in February or March.
Golovkin has only fought twice in 2016, which is very unusual for him. He is accustomed to fighting at least three to four times per year. In April he easily knocked out Dominic Wade in two rounds in Los Angeles. Then last month he traveled over to the UK and got a fifth round stoppage over IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook at the O2 Arena in London.
Golovkin's overall goal, beyond anything else, is to get Saunders in the ring - or whoever is holding that WBO world title. GGG's team has not had a lot of success in securing Saunders. They claim the British fighter is requesting a small fortune for the contest.
"I am not frustrated that other fighters don't want to fight with me," Golovkin told Erika Montoya. "I have titles - but for me it doesn't matter who is on the other side [of the ring]. I just want my last belt. That's my goal and that's all."
"This is a business for [Saunders] and I understand. Right now he has the title, right now he is the champion. But without money there is no business. Fighting me is a great opportunity for him. To me it doesn't matter if it's Billy Joe Saunders or somebody else [holding that belt], I just want to get my chance for that title."
