Golovkin gets opponent for May 5 fight in Martirosyan

CARSON, California, April 19, (AP): Gennady Golovkin finally has an opponent for his May 5 fight.

The middleweight champion has found a replacement for Canelo Alvarez, who has been suspended for six months by the Nevada Athletic Commission for failing two drug tests. Golovkin will defend his WBC, WBA and IBF titles against Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan at the StubHub Center.

“Vanes Martirosyan is now the most important fight of my career. He has my respect and I am training hard to defend my titles against him,” said Golovkin. “I am happy to be back on HBO and fighting at StubHub Center because they have great boxing fans. I will give my fans another big drama show.”

Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 knockouts) and Alvarez fought to a draw last September, and the rematch was the most anticipated bout of the year. But Alvarez tested positive for clenbuterol.

Should Triple G beat Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs), the rematch with Alvarez likely will take place later in the year. Alvarez’s promoters say he will return to the ring in September.

Tom Loeffler, Triple G’s promoter, said extra seats will be added at StubHub Center for the fight. Austria’s Dominic Thiem celebrates after winning his men’s singles tennis match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic at the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series tournament

on April 18, in Monaco. (AFP)