Boxing News 2014: Gennady Golovkin Wants Title Unification Fight Against Miguel Cotto Next
Gennady Golovkin successfully defended his IBO and WBA middleweight title on Saturday, and the unbeaten champion wants Miguel Cotto next.
Golovkin, who scored a third-round knockout win against Daniel Geale, said in an interview that they are eyeing several fighters for their next bout, but he insisted that a title unification bout is their top priority.
"My focus is at 160 right now. I want a unification fight," Golovkin said via Bad Left Hook. "For me, it's very important, who's the best in the middleweight division? Who are the champions right now? A lot of champions. Miguel Cotto, Peter Quillin, Sam Soliman. Guys, you need show? You need amazing show? Just call me. I'll stay here. I'm ready for everybody."
And when asked to name the top fighter on their list, the 32-year-old champion did not hesitate to mention Cotto, who is the reigning WBC middleweight champion.
"Miguel Cotto. 100 percent, I respect him, I respect his style. This is the biggest fight for everybody. For TV, for my fans, for everybody. For boxing," Golovkin said.
Cotto is coming off an impressive win against Sergio Martinez on June 7 and has been enjoying success since Freddie Roach took him under his wing. But Golovkin is not intimidated as he is aching to prove that he is the best fighter in the middleweight division.
However, the Golovkin-Cotto title unification bout remains hanging in the balance as Roach said that while they are considering Golovkin for their next fight, a showdown against Saul Canelo Alvarez is their priority.
Roach's statement did not sit well with Golovkin's trainer, Abel Sanchez, saying that Cotto should fight Golovkin if he wants to prove that he belongs to the middleweight division. If not, Sanchez insisted that the Puerto Rican should just relinquish his title.
"I want Cotto here in the Garden. If he calls himself the linear 160-pound champion, then he should fight a 160-pounder. If not, then vacate the title and go somewhere else -- go back to 154," Sanchez said via BoxingScene. "I think the public deserves that, the boxers, the organization deserve to have one champion, one 160-pound champion. Hopefully we can unify, but Cotto is the one who is most viable at the Garden."
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