Gennady Golovkin Eyes 'Perfect' Miguel Cotto Fight, Wants Canelo Alvarez in 2016

Undefeated middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin has more titles in sight after proclaiming it's "the perfect time" for him to step into the ring opposite Miguel Cotto, but a 2016 bout against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez also fits his schedule.

Cotto and Alvarez will do battle this Saturday at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and it's acknowledged the victor of that bout will face off against Golovkin, who appears happy to fight either figure, per Steve Kim of BoxingScene.com: "It's a very interesting fight for everybody, two world champions, it's good for boxing, especially for me because it's the middleweight division."

Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

Alvarez will still be eligible to win the WBC middleweight title this weekend despite Cotto being stripped of the belt on Tuesday for failing to pay a $300,000 sanctioning fee, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN.

When quizzed on that incident, 34-0 Golovkin replied: "I want his belt. I hope he wants a fight with me because it's more money, good deal for us, more popularity. He says just one more year (in boxing) so it's perfect time."

However, should Canelo prevail at Mandalay Bay on Saturday and emerge as the next opponent for the reigning WBA, IBO and IBF middleweight champion, the Kazakh is ready for him, too, stating: "I think he's [Alvarez] a warrior, he's ready. Maybe Golden Boy's not ready for big fight. I think fight with me and Canelo is the next big fight in the world."

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

Cotto's decision to reject the sanctioning fee and thus drop his belt just four days prior to Saturday's bout was a controversial one, which complicates matters should he defeat emerging superstar Alvarez. 

Boxing reporter Robert Littal confirmed that even if Cotto wins, the WBC middleweight belt will now go to interim champion Golovkin:

Junito is undefeated in three fights and hasn't gone the distance since losing to Austin Trout via unanimous decision in 2012, but Alvarez is also on a hot streak since losing to Floyd Mayweather two years ago.

There is the hanging notion that time is running out for Golovkin to stage a clash opposite Cotto considering the latter recently turned 35 and only has so much time left to stage this mega-fight.

ESPN presenter Maximiliano Bretos weighed in on the controversy, speculating Cotto paid Golovkin an $800,000 "step-aside fee" to meet Alvarez, per Rafael's report:

The middleweight circuit is heating up at the top, and Saturday's result will go a long way to determine how 2016 shapes up for the three fighters involved and the destination of the belts on offer.

As things stand, Golovkin is in a position of power and appears happy to let his two potential opponents duke it out in an effort to get their shot at a clean sweep.