By Miguel Rivera

WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders believes IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC world champion Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) needs to a knockout victory in order to defeat Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.

Golovkin defended his titles against Canelo back on September 16th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The contest ended in controversial twelve round split draw.

There was a loud outcry from fans and media, after one of the three official judges had scored it 118-110 for Canelo - a scorecard that Canelo's own promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, openly criticized.

Most experts saw bout as a close contest, with the majority viewing Golovlin as the deserved winner. Canelo and his handlers believe they should have been given the verdicts and the titles.

There are now ongoing discussions to make a rematch for May 5th, Cinco De Mayo weekend. Neither of the boxers would take an interim-bout to prepare for the rematch.

The two sides are reportedly close to deal and hope to finalize the remaining details in the very near future so they can begin to promote the pay-per-view bout.

If the rematch takes place, it will likely land back in Las Vegas and Saunders expects Canelo (49-1-2, 34 KOs) to get the victory, regardless of what happens during the fight - if the contest goes to the judges.

"Golovkin must go out there and knock him out, because if they go to the cards they will give the fight to Canelo, even if he loses," Saunders told Fox Deportes.

Saunders is waiting for the outcome of their negotiations. If the discussions fall apart, then the British fighter could very well become a player to land Canelo or Golovkin in the new year.

Saunders (26-0, 12 KOs) made a statement last weekend, when he traveled over to Canada to dominate former IBF world champion David Lemieux over twelve rounds.