IBF are sticklers for mandatories he probably wants to maximize his paydays rest of his career rather than defending against relative unknowns
Belts mean absolutely nothing in boxing. They have about as much significance as a blackbelt in martial arts. Boxing needs to get more exclusive so fighters records are less padded with fighters that have terrible records. But that would also mean the mentality of boxing fans would have to change and every time a fighter loses, it doesn't mean he was exposed or a bum. Neither of those will happen and boxing will never be more than a circus for YouTube fighters.
Belts are meaningful if the combatants holding them aren't willing to fight. They're only meaningless when you've got a duck like Errol Spence holding them hostage. Take a guy like Paul Butler — he could have easily held the WBO hostage and made money fighting tuneups, but he went straight for the Inoue fight.
From a selfish stand point I am a bit disappointed I was hoping to see GGG come to Australia and give Zerafa a beat down.
Why Lara ?? No $$$ in that GGG don't need the $$$$$ unlike Floyd & Canelo need $$$$ & are so jealous that the boxing fans respect GGG & Pac man above them. Canelo robbed GGG we all know that BUT GGG earned big$$$$$$ in those fights never got hurt. In fact you put up a poll asking which fighters do you respect more GGG or Canelo or Floyd or Pac. Id bet GGG & Pac win by a landslide
He wants to make as much money as possible now. Falcao or Zerefa are actually easy fights, even for an old Golovkin, but they aren't big money. Even Lara would be considerably better $$$, and even if GGG lost it's not like it'd be a disaster at this stage of his career.