According to ESPN’s Dan Rafael, who spoke with Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler, a replacement will be drafted in for the middleweight king in any eventuality.
Canelo will find out on April 10 at a Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing whether or not he will be permitted to fight after being handed a temporary suspension due to TWO positive tests for Clenbuterol.
With the levels said to be higher than first reported, Canelo faces being suspended for six months or more if found guilty, leaving a massive battle with Golovkin hanging in the balance.
Loeffler says Golovkin will not be held to ransom though and will plow on with the event no matter what the NSAC decide next month.
Talk of Billy Joe Saunders being asked to replace Canelo is off the table due to an injury the Briton suffered in training to face Martin Murray.
Saunders won’t be ready until June, as per the rearranged date with Murray, leaving Golovkin and Loeffler to look elsewhere.
Danny Jacobs won’t be allowed to break off from Matchroom’s event in April, which means ‘GGG’ has few high-profile options left open.
Jermall Charlo is fighting on Showtime two weeks prior, whilst Demetrius Andrade could potentially be a sound option if agreeable to promoter Artie Pellulo.
WBA ‘Regular’ champion Ryota Murata may also be a consideration as Golovkin bids to avoid his career being delayed by Canelo’s misfortune.
More will be revealed soon as the boxing world awaits the final decision on Canelo’s adverse findings.
