What Should Gennady Golovkin Do Next?

[-PBP-]

The only major fights at 160 are Canelo, Jacobs and Saunders, none of which will happen this year. He turns 35 next year and father time is undefeated in boxing. His options include:

1. Camp out at 160 and fight fringe contenders and up and comers until the big fights come along.

What I like about this

This option keeps him the most active, allows him to continue to chase the record for MW title defenses and will put pressure on the other top fighters to make the big fight happen. Plus a fight with Eubank will increase his name recognition in the UK which could potentially get Saunders the ridiculous dollars he's looking for.

What I dislike about this

His recent level of opposition has been subpar and I cannot stand to see another Dominic Wade/Willie Monroe Jr. type opponent. Also, at age 35, father time will catch him at some point and I would hate to see the career of a fighter of this caliber be controlled by Canelo.


2. Go after some top fighters at 154 such as Lara, Andrade and the Charlos.

What I like about this

There was a point in time where these junior divisions did not exist. Their existence has really watered down the sport. Imagine how strong a combined 154/160 division would be. To me, these wins enhance his resume against higher caliber of opposition than exists at 160.

What I dislike about this

Even if he beats a top fighter at 154 he will not receive full credit for beating up on a smaller guy moving up in weight.

3. Move up to 168

What I like about this

Many of the ATG's of the past all moved up in weight and established themselves as elite fighters in several weight classes. Plus, fighters with size advantages may be more willing to fight him.

What I dislike about this

Since Ward left the division this move has become less intriguing. Outside of Jack and Degale, fighters are still mostly unproven (Zurdo), past prime (Abraham, Bute) or have already proven to be nothing more than fringe contenders (The Dirrels).

4.Shoot for the top

What I like about this

Challenging the winner of Ward/Kovalev would take balls and a victory would solidify ATG status.

What I don't like about this

I just don't think he can beat those guys and the risk is not worth the reward.



Thoughts?

[PK3434]

Nice thread.

I think the plan should be to fight Eubank in August/Sept and then make sure the WBA orders the Jacobs fight to happen in December. Then in 2017, K2 should do their best to get Canelo/Golden Boy to sign an agreement for the fight. A verbal agreement is not good enough. A written agreement, as we have seen, doesn't guarantee a fight, but it can be helpful, as we are seeing with Kovalev-Ward.

[onetwopunch]

Stay at 160..and clean out the division..no need to move up unless he has problems making weight. Unless there is a large amount of $$$ to go up and fight Ward then its not worth it.

[BostonGuy]

I've been calling for the Lara fight for at least 18 months now. There's really no reason why the promoters can't make this fight. Lara's the most technically skilled 154lber and would be Golovkin best opponent to date.

[Caught Square]

I'd say stay at 160.... there's some good fights that will keep him on his toes for now.

Eubank won't be a Wade/Monroe type opponent. That's not to say he beats Golovkin but it could be a fight that takes a little bit out of Golovkin.

[ИATAS]

Once again he's in a tough spot.

Saunders & Eubank top priority. Doesn't look like BJS so hopefully Eubank.

After that Jacobs, but that can't happen until next year since the long awaited rematch between Jacobs vs Sergio The Great Mora II is on tap for later this year.

Lara/Andrade at 154 if they are willing to move up, those are good fights. Andrade I think is probably better fit at 160 than Lara, but I think Andrade has his eyes set on unifying 154, so that may not be able to materialize anytime soon. No clue what's going on with Lara, none.

What I would do is this - fight Eubank this year. Push extremely hard for Saunders or Jacobs ASAP early 2017. If Canelo still isn't ready after that, then move up to 168 for the biggest fights possible. See what Gennady wants to do from there, fight a couple times and maybe have a super mega fight with Ward/Kovalev winner end of 2017 early 2018 and retire.

[j0zef]

I only like #1 and #4.

Draining himself to 154 is risking his health for no reward and 168 just absolutely sucks.

[The Big Dunn]

why would GGG do anything other than stay at 160? He has a verbal agreement for a big money fight with Canelo in Fall 2017. HBO will not do anything to ruin this so they will pay him his regular money and only approve guys that GGG can KO.

[BostonGuy]

Once again he's in a tough spot.

Saunders & Eubank top priority. Doesn't look like BJS so hopefully Eubank.

After that Jacobs, but that can't happen until next year since the long awaited rematch between Jacobs vs Sergio The Great Mora II is on tap for later this year.

Lara/Andrade at 154 if they are willing to move up, those are good fights. Andrade I think is probably better fit at 160 than Lara, but I think Andrade has his eyes set on unifying 154, so that may not be able to materialize anytime soon. No clue what's going on with Lara, none.

What I would do is this - fight Eubank this year. Push extremely hard for Saunders or Jacobs ASAP early 2017. If Canelo still isn't ready after that, then move up to 168 for the biggest fights possible. See what Gennady wants to do from there, fight a couple times and maybe have a super mega fight with Ward/Kovalev winner end of 2017 early 2018 and retire.

I didn't think of Andrade. He's definitely a tougher opponent for GGG than Lara, if you're judging from recent performances.

Lara failed to impress against Vanes but Andrade looked extremely polished, motivated and showed a killer instinct in his last fight against Nelson. I'm not sure that there's too much upside for Andrade. He probably beats the Charlo bros and other top fighters in the division with much more ease than against Golvokin. Against Golovkin, win or lose, he's gonna take some punishment.

[bigjavi973]

He could easily fight at 168 and hell have more than enough fights.....

He scared.