By Francisco Salazar

Big. Drama. Show.

If a fighter would have used these words two years ago, many would scratch their heads wondering what those three words put together mean.

When Golovkin strings those words together in a sentence, it usually means a good thing. It could mean a pulverizing left hook to the body, dropping Matthew Macklin like a sack of potatoes a couple of years ago. Or it could be Golovkin landing an off-balanced right cross to the chin of Daniel Geale last July, dropping him to the canvas and ultimately getting the knockout win.

Whatever it is, Golovkin has become more than some cult hero to the boxing world. He has become a legitimate fighter at the elite level, where fights against the likes of Miguel Cotto or Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez await later this year or in 2016.

That is if these respected and talented fighters are willing to fight Golovkin. And that catch phrase.

Willie Monroe, Jr. may seem like he is in over his head on Saturday night. While he does have an extensive amateur background, he is facing a significant step up in competition against Golovkin. Could something spectacular happen on another big stage courtesy of Golovkin at the expense of Monroe?

If there is anything Golovkin fights have taught boxing fans, it is to expect the unexpected.

Golovkin (32-0, 29 KOs) awaits the challenge of Monroe this Saturday night at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The 12 round middleweight bout, along with the Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez-Edgar Sosa bout, will be televised live on HBO, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

Give Monroe an 'A' for stepping up to the plate to fight Golovkin. While a number of middleweights with title belts delay or flat out refuse to fight the popular Kazakh fighter, Monroe immediately took the fight when it was offered to him.

Despite having only fought 20 times as a pro, Monroe (20-1, 6 KOs) has an extensive and successful amateur record. Even though some think Monroe has no chance, Golovkin is not overlooking him on Saturday night.

"He is a southpaw and I want to fight any style," Golovkin told Boxingscene.com in a recent phone interview. "The great champions fight southpaws (throughout their careers). Even though I fought southpaws in the amateurs like Andy Lee and Matt Korobov, this is the pros. Willie Monroe is smart. It will be a good challenge. It will be an interesting fight and it will be a big test for me."

After Canelo Alvarez's third round knockout in Houston last Saturday night, social media buzzed about a potential fight between the popular Mexican fighter and Golovkin.

It is a fight that both fighters are open to down later this year or in 2016. What could eventually happen is a fight between Alvarez and Miguel Cotto later this year, even though Golovkin is the interim WBC champion and Cotto, the WBC champion, is obligated to fight him.

Golovkin could take step-aside money and fight the winner of Cotto and Alvarez for the WBC belt. It could lead Golovkin to fight another middleweight titleholder, but the ultimate goal for him is to fight Cotto.

"My focus is to fight Monroe," said Golovkin, who is trained by Abel Sanchez in the Southern California mountain resort of Big Bear Lake. "Monroe is a great challenger. I want to believe Cotto will fight me. That is the biggest fight for me. To fight for the WBC title since I'm in the interim champion. The fight is close for us. It is very important to see who is the best. I want to get all the belts."

Fighting Cotto is a very honorable goal. Who knows if it could realistically happen? But Golovkin has made it known he wants to fight the best in the division, including those who hold world titles, which include WBO title holder Andy Lee.

Even if none of the world title holders want to step up to the place, Golovkin wants to stay as busy as possible. He has mentioned in previous interviews he would like to fight at least four and up to six times a year.

While some of the major superstars like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are lucky enough to fight twice a year, and are on their way out of boxing, it could lead to Golovkin becoming the next big ticket.

"I know I can box like Floyd (Mayweather). I can box smart. But that is boring for people. I want to bring excitement. I want to bring drama show. People watch excitement. They want a show. HBO gave me a chance over two years ago. People love my style. Now they (the fans ) believe that fighter like Lee and Cotto say they must fight Gennady. They must fight the best name."

Golovkin understands the importance of the fight scene. It is why he moved his family to the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Monica, which is a few hours drive to Big Bear Lake. Golovkin mostly spends his time in Big Bear Lake during training camp, but the fact his family is nearby and not in Stuttgart or Kazakhstan gives him more motivation.

"I have a new life. My son is going to school her and my wife is close to me. I am very happy."

Then again, the media and boxing fans have welcomed him with open arms in the United States. A record crowd of over 9,300 at Stubhub Center in nearby Carson watched Golovkin stop Marco Antonion Rubio on October 18 and a crowd of over 12,000 is expected to watch Golovkin this Saturday night.

Bigger crowds and bigger stages await Golovkin later this year, 2016, and beyond. His aggressive, fan-friendly style, along with learning English, have endeared him to fight fans. He is mobbed by fans when he shows up to club shows or big fights, providing further evidence he has arrived in the sport.

'Big Drama Show' is here to stay. And it is sure to make more fans along the way.

"I have respect for the fans. Lots of them respect my style. They watch me and it's very cool. But it's very important to watch the best fight the best."

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing