Golovkin considering ring return with newly proposed Saudi-backed boxing league

Former middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin said he would open to offers to return to the ring from a newly proposed Saudi-backed boxing league.

Once recognised as the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet, Golovkin (42 wins, 37 by KO, two losses and a draw) has never officially retired and despite having not fought since a loss to Canelo Alvarez in 2022, said he remains in peak form and is ready to fight again.

"Would I be interested in an interesting offer, yeah we have a lot of interest here," Golovkin told Reuters through an interpreter. "I would say, never say never.

"We shall see. I am very comfortable in my position I feel great, I am at the peak of my form and I would say if something comes up we will look into that."

Reuters reported in June that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is in discussions with multiple boxing stakeholders like Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions to create a league, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of the sport.

The PIF, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has interests in several sports including football, golf and Formula One.

If the league were to get off the ground, Golovkin would be a prize signing, and could potentially set up a fourth fight against long-time rival Alvarez.

The 42-year-old Kazakhstani's trilogy of fights with the Mexican grew into one of boxing's storied rivalries.

Their first fight, in 2017, ended in a controversial draw, with many observers believing Golovkin won, while Alvarez took the next two fights on the judges' scorecards.

While Golovkin ponders a boxing comeback, he also hopes to use his power of persuasion and not his feared fists to convince Kazakhstan's boxing federation that World Boxing is the