World middleweight World Boxing Association (WBA Super) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) champion Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan has joined the list of contenders for the title of best boxer for 2014, according to Bleacherreport.com.
The site included the first seven contenders with Golovkin currently listed fourth. In 2014, the Kazakh had two bouts, which he won by technical knockout. On Feb. 1, he stopped Ghanaian Osumanu Adam and on July 27 he defended his title in a fight against Australian Daniel Geale.
According to Bleacherreport.com, Golovkin could be named boxer of the year if he wins fights against either Miguel Cotto or Andre Ward.
However, Golovkin’s next fight is scheduled for Oct. 18, and although nothing has been finilised, there is a name and it’s neither Cotto nor Ward but the Mexican Marco Antonio Rubio. The 34-year-old Mexican tweeted earlier “Since [Miguel Cotto] didn’t want to fight me, we’re fighting [Golovkin] Oct. 18. I never backdown from anyone. The battle is coming!”
Rubio will be a challenge for Golovkin as he is known for taking good punches, what the Kazakh is feared for. However, Golovkin’s camp has not confirmed the deal yet, only announcing that the next fight will be in Los Angeles on Oct. 18. Rubio is an experienced veteran fighter, but has had success only against mid-level fighters. He has challenged champions only twice and failed both times Golovkin is favoured in the matchup, having won 30 bouts with no defeats in his career.
Earlier, 40-year-old Australian Sam Soliman refused to fight Golovkin, although just under two months ago he claimed he would. Soliman opted to fight American Jermain Taylor on Oct. 4 and try to defend the title he just stripped off German Felix Sturm.
