Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

GGG expects a huge 2015

CARSON, Calif. -- Middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin fought four times in his breakout 2013 and hoped to do it again this year. But when his father died unexpectedly, Golovkin withdrew from an April fight, leaving him with only three appearances this year.

GGG knocked out Osumanu Adama in February, Daniel Geale in July and returns to make his 12th title defense against Marco Antonio Rubio (59-6-1, 51 KOs) on Saturday night (HBO, 10 ET/PT) at the sold-out StubHub Center.

But next year, Golovkin (30-0, 27 KOs), one of the busiest elite fighters in the sport, has designs on another four-fight year.

“Right now I am focused on Rubio. He’s a strong guy,” Golovkin said. “He is good experience for me. This is my first fight in California, so it’s a big step for me, a big deal for me. But I am ready for a unification fight. After this fight I hope so for a unification. I need Canelo [Alvarez]-[Miguel] Cotto first and then, of course, I want the winner. But [Julio Cesar] Chavez Jr., Andre Ward, Carl Froch. Bring me big fight.”

With a win, Golovkin is ticketed for a February return in Monte Carlo, perhaps against British contender Martin Murray. After that he wants a big pay-per-view fight.

Golovkin was supposed to face Chavez at super middleweight on HBO PPV in July. Golovkin agreed to terms, but Chavez backed out. Golovkin would love for the fight to be finalized.

With middleweight champion Cotto likely headed to a spring showdown with Alvarez, the winner would be an ideal opponent and a huge fight for GGG in the second half of next year.

K2 Promoter Tom Loeffler, who represents Golovkin, said he also has been in touch with Eddie Hearn, who promotes super middleweight titleholder Carl Froch, to gauge their interest. That’s a fight Loeffler said that Golovkin would happily travel to Froch’s turf in England for and also fight him at 168 pounds.

Another name that interests Golovkin is super middleweight champion Andre Ward, although he is inactive with no return on the horizon. Ward is going on a year of inactivity while embroiled in a promotional contract dispute.

“If Gennady fought Canelo, Chavez, Cotto, Froch it would be phenomenal,” Loeffler said. “Those are really big fights. People can’t say Gennady doesn't bring a reward. He's still a big risk but he brings a lot of interest and a lot money with him now that HBO has committed their financial support to him. So if everything goes the right way on Saturday we're looking for a huge 2015. I'm convinced there is nobody at 160 pounds who can last 12 rounds with him.”

Golovkin said he won’t be picky about his opponents. He just wants something huge.

“I feel great. Four times [in 2015]. It is my time,” he said. “Next year will be big for me and my team. Right now, I focus on Rubio. In the future, I am ready for anyone. I waited a long time. I want big, big fights with superstars. It doesn’t matter who. Cotto, Canelo, Chavez Jr., Froch. It doesn’t matter. I want big fights for me and my fans. I want great show.”

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