By Peter Lim
With the May 5 Canelo-Golovkin rematch down the drain, trainer Ronnie Shields has thrown the hats of two of his fighters into the ring as replacement opponents for Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs).
Pending an April 18 Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) has been suspended for twice testing positive for clenbuterol, a banned performance enhancing drug.
Gennady Golovkin still intends to defend his IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC titles against an opponent to be determined in May 5th, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
At the upcoming hearing, Canelo is facing a one-year suspension. There is a possibility that his suspension will be reduced to six months - which would make him capable of fighting by August - and more than likely the Golovkin rematch would be rescheduled for September.
Should Canelo get handed a one-year suspension then Golovkin would require a dance partner for the fall - and Shields said Jermall Charlo (26-0, 20 KOs) and Erislandy Lara (25-2-2, 14 KOs) would be willing to step in to fill the void. That is provided, of course, they win their upcoming bouts. Lara faces Jared Hurd on April 7 in a 154-pound world title unification fight, and Charlo takes on Hugo Centeno (26-1, 14 KOs) on April 21.
“Absolutely, either Lara or Jermall Charlo,” Shields said. “Jermall is already the number-one contender.”
Given that Triple G has been training for the right-handed Canelo, Charlo is the more likely candidate, Shields said.
“Golovkin wouldn’t take a southpaw right now but Jermall is perfect because Canelo’s a right hander and Jermall’s a right hander,” Shields said.
“I’d love that fight. I think it’s a better fight than Golovkin and Canelo actually because Jermall brings height, reach and power to the division and Jermall’s not going to go all over the ring like Canelo did in the last fight. He’s going to be right there and it’s going to be a much more exciting fight.”
But Golovkin-Lara will also have its intrigue, Shields said, and Lara will be more than willing to bulk up to 160 to step up to the challenge.
“Golovkin, of course is the bigger guy,” Shields said. “But Lara is a good boxer and he will give Golovkin so many problems.”
2023-10-20 19:16:37
