Gennady Golovkin to return June 8 at Madison Square Garden

Former middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin will make his DAZN debut on June 8 at Madison Square Garden, and ESPN reports that there are two opponents being considered for what will be a catchweight fight around 164 pounds.

The first name is Steve Rolls, a 34-year-old Canadian who turned pro in 2011. He’s unbeaten at 19-0 (10 KO), but hasn’t really fought anyone, either, his most notable win either his last one, a decision over KeAndrae Leatherwood on Dec. 15 in Toronto, or a 2017 split decision victory over Demond Nicholson.

The other name is Hassan N’dam, a former middleweight titleholder. N’dam, 35, has had a good career, going 37-3 (21 KO) overall, and can still fight, as he showed in December, beating Martin Murray on the road in England. He’s lost to Peter Quillin, David Lemieux, and Ryota Murata.

Of the two, N’dam is probably the more interesting opponent, but he would still be an enormous underdog, of course. The initial plan was for Golovkin to face Brandon Adams, but Adams has instead chosen to fight Jermall Charlo in June or July.

If Golovkin wins as expected in June, the working idea has been for him to return in the fall for a third fight with Canelo Alvarez, which likely depends on Alvarez beating Daniel Jacobs on May 4, and that’s no guarantee.

All in all, Golovkin’s return lines up as yet another addition to a busy but largely uninspiring spring boxing schedule, featuring far too many not-so-intriguing matchups for star fighters. We can all “get it,” but that doesn’t mean we have to like it.