There are plenty of Russians and Russian speaking folk in NYC. Golovkin is a likeable guy and he puts on good performances. NYC is the place for him to fight at.
When Vitali Klitschko fought Kirk Johnson at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA, that fight was sold out during a huge snow storm.............
I haven't gotta clue how this will sell, but part of the rationale behind the Stevens fight was that he was a Brooklyn kid and well known in NYC as one of the 'chincheckers' - as you point out they'd be well advised to put some local talent on the undercard IMO or perhaps as you suggest Macklin or Lee to pull in the Irish interest.