Good news: Gennady Golovkin is still fighting at StubHub Center on May 5th, despite Canelo Alvarez withdrawing due to his drug test fiasco. The fight will also be shown on regular HBO rather than pay-per-view (PPV) and includes the latest appearance of Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez on HBO Latino.
Bad news: GGG’s fighting Vanes Martirosyan.
Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KO) is a lifelong super welterweight whose most notable performances came in narrow losses to standouts Demetrius Andrade and Jermell Charlo. He’s coming off a two-year layoff dating back to a decision loss to Erislandy Lara, whom Martirosyan had fought to a technical draw in 2012.
He’s also trained by none other than our dear friend Edmond Tarverdyan.
The other candidates to face Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KO) included:
- Brawler Spike O’Sullivan, who declined after the initial offer was “halved,”
- The aforementioned Andrade, a lengthy southpaw so utterly unlike Canelo that fighting him on short notice made no sense.
- Mexican youngster Jaime Munguia, whom NSAC declined to sanction.
- IBF mandatory challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko, who’s been waiting for a crack at Golovkin since walloping Tureano Johnson last August.
You know what they say about beggars and choosers.
As for Canelo, he accepted a six-month suspension from boxing and you can read some of his settlement agreement below.
NSAC has suspended Canelo Alvarez for six months for his positive tests of clenbuterol. Canelo admitted to it being in system, but maintains it was due to tainted beef. Here are a few pages of the settlement agreement. He’s eligible again on Aug. 17. pic.twitter.com/KkQg2ro5VX
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 18, 2018
It’s a crummy situation all around, but at least we have the potential for more amazing Edmond cornering when Golovkin puts the hurt on Martirosyan.
See you on May 5th!