Let's not forget Golovkin beat Dirrell when it counts, the Olympics. He didn't beat Froch, and besides that he actually has wins against....Abraham? An abraham that was disqualified? And further to that, list me his best wins of the last five years?
Canelo and Cotto are both big fights, both from a financial and boxing standpoint. Dirrell-DeGale winner is just a too much of a high risk/low reward fight for him. These are both top guys of a division 8lbs above. But if Dirrell wins and moves down to fight GGG, perhaps that could happen.
Ok, so why would Dirrell be afraid to fight GGG if he fought him twice in the amateurs. He did beat Froch, what did Froch the legend do in that fight to pull out a win despite rabbit punching, hitting air, and almost getting knocked out? It was a hometown decision for a reason. He was the first man to legit beat Abraham(the first Miranda fight was close) and gave the blueprint on how to beat him. Abraham was so frustrated and embarrassed that he was forced to illegally rabbit punch Dirrell in the temple while he slipped. I've seen people DQ'd for a lot less. Dirrell has been inactive for years and has been having promotional disputes. He didn't really have a real promoter until now.
Don't think Dirrell is afraid. I don't recall saying he was. Whilst he built up a healthy lead against Abraham, he did not look good after round eight. Abraham had a knockdown that was discounted and was starting to beat the brakes off Andre, which is why I think he took the easy way out.