By Carlos Boogs
WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders (24-0, 12 KOs) is pushing and applying the pressure on Gennady Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs), holder of the IBF, IBO, WBC, WBA titles, to sign a contract for a potential fight for June.
Two weeks ago, Golovkin retained his world titles at New York's Madison Square Garden by winning a tough twelve round unanimous decision over mandatory challenger Daniel Jacobs.
Saunders has been out of the ring since December, when he made the first defense of his title with a lackluster decision win over Artur Akavov.
Their respective promoters are discussing the possibility of colliding in a unification fight on June 10 in Golovkin's homeland of Kazakhstan.
Time is starting to wind down for Saunders, who wants to start training and preparing for his next ring appearance.
He believes Golovkin is dragging his feet, because of a recent threat from Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya.
De La Hoya warned Golovkin that is follows through with a June fight, it would kill a possible September meeting with Saul "Canelo" Alvarez - because De La Hoya is worried that Golovkin could get derailed during the encounter. Canelo still has to beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on May 6th from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“I’ve still not heard back from Golovkin. I’ve been on to my manager and my promoter Frank Warren to start looking elsewhere,” Saunders said. “I’m willing to go to Kazakhstan and have the fight. It seems to me that when I’m fat and out of shape, everyone wants to have a piece of me.
“When I’m in shape, with time on my hands to get fit and look good people need a rest. I don’t know if it is old age catching up. My pen is in my hand ready to sign but I want it to be done for Friday because I want to move on. I can’t be bothered to sit around and wait another six months – I’ve got to get on with my career. So Golovkin, if you have got a pair of balls then lets sign the contract and fight.”
