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Home » Golovkin puts Canelo behind him, rules out moving up to 168

Golovkin puts Canelo behind him, rules out moving up to 168

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  • 2 min read

Gennady Golovkin has opened up about the collapse of his ill-fated rematch with Canelo Alvarez following the Mexican’s failed drug tests.

‘GGG’ was left disappointed when Canelo received a six-month ban from the Nevada State Athletic Commission and will now face Vanes Martirosyan instead after switching venues to Los Angeles.

Speaking on his next fight and whether Canelo is an option down the line, Golovkin said his old foe is out of his head – for the immediate future.

“I would like to fight four or five times every year. Cinco De Mayo is a big night for a fight and for a Mexican-Style fighter like me. It is very important to me to be fighting again, to be fighting on Cinco De Mayo,” said Golovkin.

“I didn’t want to disappoint the fans who wanted a fight on a Mexican holiday. I am grateful to the Mexican fans who support me and who supported me after the fight with Canelo and during the past two months.

“When my fight with Canelo was canceled I never stopped training. I wanted a fight on Cinco De Mayo. I stayed in Big Bear working hard with Abel hoping I would still be able to have a fight.

“Canelo? Right now he is over. Do I want to have the rematch in September? We’ll see. It’s a different deal. The boxing business is crazy. I’ll fight Canelo again. Ask him if he wants to fight me.


VANES

“I no longer think about Canelo. I am only focused on this fight. I just want to fight Vanes. I remember him from the 2004 Olympics.

“I know he is not easy. Vanes is a strong and active fighter in the ring. He is a good fighter. Vanes is a real guy. A real fighter. He is tall and strong. In 2004,

“I thought Vanes was the best boxer on the U.S. Olympic team.”

On whether he’ll stay at 160 pounds for the foreseeable, Golovkin added: “I am still comfortable at 160 pounds. There are no big money fights at 168 pounds and besides, I am small at 160.

“I only ask for fights. I want more big fights. Huge fights. Title unification fights. I want to stay champion. It should be a clean sport. That is important to me,” he said.