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The 7 other fighters looking to replace Canelo and face Golovkin


Canelo Alvarez is out.

The Mexican superstar was due to face unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin in a highly-anticipated rematch at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday May 5th.

However, the Golden Boy cash cow last night withdrew from the fight following two failed drug tests. The Guadalajaran tested positive for Clenbuterol in February – which he claims was due to contaminated Mexican beef – and he has withdrawn from the fight ahead of the official hearing.

The show must go on, however, and the venue has been switched to down the strip at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Cork’s Spike O’Sullivan [27(19)-2(1) is believed to be the front-runner to come in and challenge WBC-WBA-IBF champion Golovkin [37(33)-0-1].

However, a number of other fighters have also stated their desire to take on GGG.

Billy Joe Saunders [26(12)-0]
The last piece of the middleweight puzzle, the WBO middleweight champion was due to defend his belt versus Martin Murray on April 14th. A hand injury has seen this fight delayed until June 23rd but Saunders has put himself forward to step in and face Golokvin.

Jermall Charlo [26(20)-0]
The former IBF light middleweight champ is now the WBC mandatory challenger. The boxing twin was due to face Hugo Centeno Jr on April 21st for the interim green belt but has, somewhat cryptically, thrown his hat into the ring.

Danny Jacobs [33(29)-2(1)]
The New Yorker gave Golovkin a huge scare last March, losing a close decision. ‘The Mircacle Man’ faces Maciej Sulecki in a WBA final eliminator on April 28th but has indicated that he would be game to step in for Canelo instead.

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Demetrius Andrade [25(16)-0]
A rangey, talented, southpaw, the former WBO light middleweight champion moved up last year and has been calling for Golovkin.

Sergiy Derevyanchenko [12(10)-0]
The Ukrainian WSB veteran is the IBF mandatory challenger and stopped Conor McGregor sparring partner Dashon Johnson last month. His promoter, Lou DiBella, has called for the Golovkin fight, seemingly dismissing the challenge of O’Sullivan.

Gilberto Ramirez [37(25)-0]
Top Rank boss Bob Arum promotes the WBO super middleweight champion and he has offered the Mexican forward should Golovkin want to step up in weight.

Yamaguchi Falcao [15(12)-0]
The Olympic bronze medalist fought just last weekend – on a card in Boston alongside Jason Quigley – and the Brazilian is keen to get back in the ring next month and face Golovkin.

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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