Gennady Golovkin
Gennady Golovkin is 33-0 in his career with 30 knockouts. Reuters

Gennady Golovkin has had trouble getting top boxers to agree to step inside the ring with him, but he might be closer than ever to landing a big fight. The middleweight champ has made it clear that he’s willing to face all challengers, and one of the sport’s most popular stars of all time says he’s considering a bout with GGG.

Oscar De La Hoya hasn’t fought in nearly seven years, but the 42-year-old says he’s weighing a comeback. De La Hoya won’t just return for any fight, and he told ESPN.com that he’d be willing to take on either Floyd Mayweather or Golovkin.

"I want to fight one of them because they are the best and I always fought the best," De La Hoya said. "That's what boxing is all about - fighting the best."

There has been much discussion about where Golovkin ranks among the top pound-for-pound fighters. He’s easily taken care of everyone who’s been put in front of him, going undefeated and knocking out 20 straight opponents, but he’s yet to take on the best of the best. It certainly hasn’t been for lack of trying, as Golovkin continues to call out top fighters.

De La Hoya first suggested that he take on the winner of Mayweather vs. Golovkin, but Mayweather has recently dismissed the option of fighting Golovkin, who seems entrenched as a middleweight for now. It’s uncertain how realistic a possible matchup between Golovkin and De La Hoya might be, considering the former champ last fought in 2008 when he suffered an eighth-round knockout to Manny Pacquiao, marking his fourth loss in seven fights. But Golovkin’s popularity continues to increase among casual boxing fans, and he could face a formidable opponent in the latter part of 2015.

David Lemieux said in February that he’d like to face Golovkin, and a bout could make sense for both sides. Lemieux defeated Hassan N’Dam on Saturday, claiming the vacant IBF middleweight title. Golovkin won the interim WBC middleweight title last October, defending it successfully against Martin Murray and Willie Monroe Jr. this year.

Golovkin has also been eyeing a potential fight with Carl Froch. The super middleweight hasn’t stepped in the ring since he successfully defended his WBA/IBF titles against George Groves in May 2014 at Wembley Stadium. Froch’s boxing career might be over, and talks between the two sides have seemingly stalled. But Golovkin says he’s ready to challenge the 37-year-old from Nottingham, England.

"He filled Wembley in his last fight with George Groves and I have fought in some of the biggest arenas in the US, so it would be a huge worldwide event and a big test for me,” Golovkin said in a recent interview.

Should Golovkin wins his next fight, a bout with either Miguel Cotto or Canelo Alvarez could be on the horizon in 2016. Cotto and Alvarez are expected to sign on to fight each other this year after their recent dominant victories.

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