The IBF have ordered the IBF and WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin to face no 3 ranked Dominic Wade.
Golovkin was pencilled in to face Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez but both parties agreed for the bout to be pushed to later in the year to at least September.
GGG’s party offered WBO title holder Billy Joe Saunders an opportunity with a ‘big sum’ involved yet that was refused by the Brit and his team.
The next in line for the IBF was Tureano Johnson but the Bahamas fighter suffered a shoulder injury and will not be able to fight in April so Golovkin was forced to look at another avenue.
Dan Rafael of ESPN reported that the IBF have now ordered the number 3 in line to face the current belt holder with his promoter Tom Brown agreeing to the fight. Talks are now taking place with Brown and Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler.
Wade (18-0, 12 KO’s) is an unbeaten fighter residing in Maryland, USA and is part of Al Haymon’s stable. The American last faced Sam Soliman in June, winning via a split decision. Wade, while being a good puncher with a good amateur history, has faced no big-name to date and Golovkin could be a name too advanced in his career.
Golovkin comes off a stoppage win against David Lemieux where he added the IBF title to his collection.
While the fight may not be close to being made, the fight with Saunders may be revived after Golovkin visited the UK recently to watch West Ham United. Matt Korobov is another name that has been thrown into the mix recently.
– Oun Abbas Hussain / @ouney86
– Managing Editor for Behind the Gloves.
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