Boxing insider Dan Rafael has reported that middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin is looking to fight twice this year. First, he hopes to fight an unnamed opponent in August or September. If he emerges victorious, he will look to fight in a unification bout with WBA titlist Ryota Murata on New Year’s Eve in Japan. If both fights can be scheduled, Murata will more than likely fight on the same card as Golovkin in August or September. Much like Golovkin’s potential later summer bout, Murata has not yet identified an opponent.
“Both sides and DAZN believe the doubleheader is something worth exploring,” a source close to the matter told Rafael.
Both men have faced difficulties finding fights since the pandemic started in early 2020. Murata won the WBA title by stopping Murata in July 2019. He defended his title by stopping Steven Buttler five months later. He has not fought since then. Golovkin also fought in late 2019 and was sidelined by the pandemic. However, he was able to fight Kamil Szeremeta in December 2020 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
If the two were to fight in December, it would also open the door for an unofficial tournament in the middleweight division. With Murata and Golovkin fighting, Demetrius Andrade and Jermall Charlo could fight. The winners of the two fights could fight for the undisputed title at 160 pounds. However, business affiliations, contract negotiations and much more will likely stand in the way of making that happen.
