Ed Mulholland / K2

WBN have been informed that Gennady Golovkin has to defend his middleweight titles against Tureano Johnson should the Kazakh come through Danny Jacobs next month.

Despite being linked to taking on Canelo Alvarez in September, Golovkin may have to squeeze in mandatory duties against the 32 year-old Bahaman or risk dropping one of his belts before the expected super-fight.

The International Boxing Federation are awaiting the outcome of Golovkin’s New York bout with Jacobs before stipulating the winner has to then compete against their number one contender in Johnson.

“We expect the winner of Gennady Golovkin vs. Daniel Jacobs to do the IBF mandatory next,” IBF Chairman Lindsey Tucker exclusively told World Boxing News this week.

There could potentially be a way out of the Johnson fight for Golovkin, but only if the pound for pound star can force an agreement with Billy Joe Saunders as a unification with the WBO champion would take precedent over a mandatory. Even then, Johnson would still be waiting on the other side.

Whatever happens, any Canelo encounter taking place immediately after Jacobs could see Golovkin only bringing the WBC, WBA and IBO versions to the table unless Johnson is granted his opportunity or agrees to step aside.

Johnson’s close ties with Canelo’s promoters Golden Boy may help in reaching any amicable agreement for all concerned, including smoothing things over with the IBF.

The IBF are notorious for sticking to the rules and regulations as several champions have found out in the past, most recently Tyson Fury and Carl Frampton as both decided against making their mandatories and were either stripped or dropped the belt to move on.

Since becoming a belt holder at 160 pounds, Golovkin has always wanted to make every defense to adhere to the regulations and would not consider giving up one his belts.

In order to keep up this record, ‘GGG’ would have to give Johnson his chance next or break that run of mandatory defenses.