Lawrence Lustig

Undefeated star Gennady Golovkin will soon move up to super-middleweight to test the waters before making a more permanent move next year, according to renowned trainer Abel Sanchez.

Many in the sport have been calling for the middleweight king to compete in a higher weight class for some time now due to a lack of real competition at 160 pounds, although Golovkin is adamant about cleaning up before doing so.

Only one title remains out of reach for ‘GGG’ as Billy Joe Saunders continues to elude the hard-hitting Kazakh, whilst the most lucrative contest in the whole of boxing right now would be against Canelo Alvarez.

Due to Mexican super-welterweight title holder wanting more time to fill out at middleweight, Golovkin is forced to hang around fulfilling mandatory duties, something Sanchez previously told WBN the 34 year-old is more than willing to do.

Eventually, Golovkin will jump up the eight pounds necessary to see how his body reacts, but would then have the option of moving back down again before making the switch permanent in around 2018.

‘GGG’ would then have a further option of competing at light-heavyweight as his body ages into 2020, before Sanchez sees 168 and 175 becoming Golovkin’s home in the twilight years of his career.

“I can see him moving up for the right fight at 168 soon, but then moving back down to 160,” Sanchez exclusively told World Boxing News.

“I think then in about 18 months, Golovkin will be fighting and staying at 168. Maybe in 36 months, I can see him stopping and fluctuating between 168 and 175.

“The direction that Tom Loeffler and (managers) the Hermann Brothers take GGG’s career will be determined by what’s in the best interest of GGG and boxing. But it will depend on the possible big fights not just talking – but actually getting in the ring.”

Asked whether that initial step up could happen after the Jacobs fight, Sanchez added: “No, when you are a unified champion, it comes with obligations and mandatories, so those need to be satisfied first.”