Gennady Golovkin survived the toughest test of his career to defeat Daniel Jacobs before setting his sights on a blockbuster showdown with Canelo Alvarez.

GGG headed into the fight on a run of 23 straight knockouts but found Jacobs, known as "Miracle Man" since coming back from bone cancer five years ago, in no mood to lie down and the American pushed the undefeated Kazakh all the way to a judges’ decision.

Two judges scored it 115-112, with the third making it 114-113 in favour of Golovkin, who successfully retained his WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO middleweight crowns.

And in the immediate aftermath Golovkin, who also refused to rule out a rematch with the hugely impressive Jacobs, turned his attention towards a long-awaited clash with powerful Mexican Alvarez.

“Of course I am ready to fight Canelo,” he said. “Of course I want that fight. I am like an animal for that fight.”

Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Show all 17 1 /17 Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Story of the fight Golovkin, undefeated in 36 professional fights, took on the unfancied Daniel Jacobs at Madison Square Garden. Getty Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 1 A cautious start from both men but Golovkin ends the round on top, with Jacobs forced to fight off the back foot. Getty Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 2 Golovkin begins to establish his dominance, aggressively coming forward and hurting Jacobs with a big body shot. Getty Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 3 Golovkin lands some more painful body shots before Jacobs responds with a big counter-left. Getty Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 4 Golovkin sends his rival to the canvas! The champ lads a right-left combo 30 seconds into the round. Getty Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Jacobs knocked down To the home hopeful's credit, he's quickly back up on his feet. Getty Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 5 Golovkin looks to finish the fight. He almost knocks Jacobs to the canvas again, with a booming right which leaves the American staggering backwards. Getty Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 6 Better from Jacobs. A quiet round with the American landing a flurry of punches shortly before the bell. Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 7 An uppercut has Jacobs in trouble yet again but he digs deep, hurting GGG on the counter and nicking the round. Getty Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 8 Golovkin gets back on top after losing the last round but Jacobs grows into the contest. Getty Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 9 Jacobs lands a huge three-punch combo to leave Golovkin reeling! The Kazakh recovers and ends the round with a combo of his own, but it's another round to the challenger. Getty Images Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 10 Golovkin continues to work on the body but the champion is tiring. Jacobs lands a series of deadly combos and wins the round. Getty Images Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 11 Jacobs goes on the attack and takes the round, but Golovkin shows supreme experience to evade his more painful blows and remain in the fight. Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Round 12 Another round in the favour the challenger, but has he done enough? Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight Jacobs waits... ... to see whether he has done enough to stun the champion. Getty Images Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight The official scorecard But the judges have Golovkin ahead on points. Getty Golovkin vs Jacobs: The story of the fight And still... The WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and IBO middleweight champion of the world. Getty

Golovkin knocked Jacobs down in the fourth with a double dose of rights but as the fight wore on Jacobs confused the Kazakh by sliding into a southpaw stance, scoring on stinging combinations, holding his own against the dangerous power of the champion.

After a cautious, feeling out in the first two rounds, the bout blossomed into a fascinating battle with the fighters engaging freely in a thrilling duel to the finish that almost produced another Jacobs' miracle.