Former middleweight world champion Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KOs) has no intention of moving up in weight - unless the right fight comes along.
Golovkin is back on Saturday night, when he faces Brooklyn-based Ukrainian challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-1, 10 KOs) for the vacant IBF/IBO world middleweight titles at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Golovkin's main division rival, Canelo Alvarez, moved up to the super middleweight limit in December 2018 - to blast out Rocky Fielding for the WBA "regular" title. And he is scheduled to move up to light heavyweight in November, when he jumps by two weight classes for a crack at WBO world champion Sergey Kovalev.
Canelo, who back in May returned to middleweight for a decision win over Daniel Jacobs, plans to contend in three weight classes if possible.
Certain fighters, like WBA super middleweight champion Callum Smith and WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders, are very eager to face Golovkin. Daniel Jaocbs is also heading to 168. Jacobs lost a close twelve round decision to Golovkin in early 2017.
But Golovkin is not eager to follow Canelo's lead.
He's open to the idea of fighting against someone at 168 - but admits he would like move back to middleweight in the aftermath.
“If you want me to move to 168, make it interesting. And, that would be a temporary move up because I’m a natural middleweight. So going to 168 would be going outside of my comfort zone. I feel very comfortable at 160,” Golovkin said.
There are still options at the middleweight limit, like WBO world champion Demetrius Andrade, the rising Jaime Munguia, WBC champion Jermal Charlo, WBA "regular" champion Ryota Murata and Canelo still holds the WBA's 'super' world title at 168-pounds.
