Matthew Macklin, who several years ago was stopped by Gennady Golovkin, believes his former foe looked old on Saturday night.

Golovkin barely survived a challenge from Sergiy Derevyanchenko at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. GGG won a very close twelve round unanimous decision with scores of 114-113, 115-112 and 115-112.

With the win, Golovkin reclaimed the IBF, IBO middleweight titles.

Golovkin was looking to fight Canelo last month, but their first two bouts were close pitched affairs.

Canelo had no interest in facing Golovkin for a third time.

Golovkin and Canelo fought to a controversial twelve round split draw in 2017. They came to the ring a year later, and Golovkin suffered his first career defeat when he lost a twelve round majority decision at the hands of Canelo.

Canelo will head up to the light heavyweight limit of 175-pounds to challenge WBO champion Sergey Kovalev.

After GGG's recent performance, Macklin expects Canelo to pursue the third fight.

"I think Canelo will jump at the trilogy now after that," Macklin said to Sky Sports.

"Golovkin looked old in there tonight. Taking nothing away from Derevyanchenko, he fought a great fight. At 37, he [Golovkin] did look it in there tonight. It was a really good fight, Golovkin started so well in the first few. The body shot in the fifth was the turning point and it really hurt him.

"Those middle rounds, Golovkin fought his way back in, but he started to look tired. Derevyanchenko's stock has certainly risen in defeat."