By Steve Kim
It's not clear who WBC middleweight champion, Miguel Cotto, will face in his next bout. It was thought that he would take on the challenge of the precocious Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez - who will instead face James Kirkland in May - and there are rumors he could be engaging in another go-around with Floyd Mayweather, who out-pointed him a few years ago.
Regardless, Golovkin is next in line to fight for that belt, after stopping Marco Antonio Rubio in three back in October.
"Gennady is the interim champion, which Rubio had actually gotten that title because Sergio Martinez had been injured," explained Tom Loeffler, managing director of K2 Promotions, to BoxingScene.com. "So with him fighting for that interim title, as soon as the 'regular' champion is available - Gennady is the mandatory. That'll be the winner of Cotto in his next fight."
As for the time frame, Loeffler said - "It would be the next fight, whoever wins the next fight with Cotto has to fight Gennady in the next title defense."
Currently, 'GGG' is preparing to face the rugged Martin Murray on February 21st. If he comes out victorious, look for a relatively quick return. The plan is to fight up to four times in 2015.
"(Gennady) always likes to stay active and be on an active schedule," said Loeffler. "So we'd be looking at coming back in the United States, if everything goes the right way in Monte Carlo, coming back as soon as possible in either May or June."
And Loeffler said they would bring Golovkin - "back to California."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com