By Miguel Rivera
Abel Sanchez, trainer of WBC/WBA/IBF/IBO middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs), could see his boxer facing WBO 168-pound champion Gilberto Ramirez before Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez or Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
All three Mexican fighters have called out Golovkin at various points in the last few months. Canelo called for Golovkin, but then moved down to 154-pounds and made a verbal agreement to face Golovkin in September of 2017. Chavez Jr. is having weight issues and hasn't made the super middleweight limit of 168 in a few years.
Ramirez is pushing to get Golovkin in the ring and appears to be the most serious of the bunch.
Ramirez (34-0, 24 KOs) became the first Mexican fighter to capture a title at super middleweight with a dominating victory over longtime veteran Arthur Abraham on April 9 in Las Vegas. He was scheduled to make the first defense of that title against Dominik Britsch (32-2, 11 KO) on July 23 - but suffered a hand injury that is likely going to keep out until November.
Sanchez was asked point blank, in his opinion, which Mexican fighter would Golovkin more than likely fight in the not too distant future - between Ramirez, Canelo and Chavez Jr.
"Chavez has weight problems, issues with dedication, discipline. Canelo has already said no and the public knows what the situation is. They say they have an agreement but that's nothing. Everyone will have to see what happens next year and who they fight," Sanchez told ESPN Deportes.
"So for me Ramirez who is more likely. He and Bob Arum have shown real interest. I know Gilberto and I know he is a true warrior. He's grown up with me, the Zaparis (Jesus and Hector) have done a great job, plus he made history by being the first Mexican champion at 168 pounds, so I think he will be the first one we face between the three."
