The 26 year-old aims to win a third world championship against the Briton in Texas and has been linked to a move back up to 160 pounds to meet the winner of Golovkin v Brook in 2017.
A clash against the only other middleweight title holder, Billy Joe Saunders has also been mentioned for when Canelo eventually makes the move back above 154. For now, Canelo is happy where he is and says he will challenge whoever is in the best position when he finally leaves super-welterweight behind.
“If I take the belt I would like to defend it in December and go up to middleweight next year but we’ll see how it goes with Smith,” Canelo exclusively told World Boxing News.
“But whichever one (Golovkin or Saunders) make the most sense at the time. I know which one the fans want to see (Golovkin), but I’m focusing on Liam Smith and it’s not wise to look ahead too much before a fight.”
Asked how he sees Golovkin v Brook panning out, Canelo added: “The fans will like the fight but Kell Brook maybe not so much. I think he should give a good account of himself, though.”
Golovkin and Saunders may well have the chance to meet in December – possibly in the UK, according to a recent interview given by the latter to WBN as Canelo puts the breaks on his immediate middleweight future.
May of next year could signal the start of Canelo’s full-time push at the 160 pound limit, and depending on who holds all the middleweight cards, a massive Las Vegas showdown seems imminent for the spring.
