Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez: Latest News, Rumours, Speculation on Fight

Boxing star Gennady Golovkin and his representatives believe a fight with WBC middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez will take place in 2016 following the organisation's decision to hand the current champion one voluntary defence before negotiations reopen.  

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Golovkin Representative Confirms Canelo Deal

Tuesday, Dec. 15

Speaking to TMZ Sports, a representative of Golovkin confirmed the two fighters will meet in the latter part of 2016, both taking voluntary defences before then: "The fight will most likely take place second half of 2016. Both will have fights in early 2016 and then fight each other in the second half of the year."

Golovkin is the top contender for Alvarez's WBC title, but so far, the two parties have been unable to come to an agreement for a fight next year.

As reported by World Boxing News, the WBC announced it extended the negotiating process by allowing both fighters to have a single defence, a positive sign the fight could be made at some point in the near future.

Not everyone was as excited by the WBC's statement when it was first published, however. Per FightNights.com, it changes little:

As reported by BoxingScene's Miguel Rivera, the WBC previously said Alvarez would have to vacate his 160-pound title if he couldn't agree to a fight with Golovkin within the standard negotiating period. Alvarez has so far refused to fight at a 160-pound weight limit, per FightHype (via Andreas Hale of Yahoo Sports).

What the WBC's decision does is give both parties more time, however, and that can only be a good thing. Alvarez appeared ready to vacate his title if needed, and a fight would have been even less likely in that scenario.

A bout between the popular Alvarez and Golovkin, one of the most dangerous punchers in all of boxing, should easily be the biggest fight of 2016, and judging by the latest comments from the Kazakh camp, it looks more likely then ever.

Both will have to win their voluntary defences to keep the momentum going before negotiations reopen. If a deal cannot be made during the time allotted by the WBC, a purse bid will follow, per World Boxing News.