Zhanibek Alimkhanuly vs. Gennadiy Gennadyevich Golovkin

Usually when their names have been linked in the past, it's been to christen Alimkhanuly the "new Golovkin" - meant as in, one must presume, taking up the mantle as face of boxing in Kazakhstan. As opposed to being as exciting nd dynamic a fighter as his predecessor - which, skillful though he may be, the southpaw just flat out isn't.

I've been hearing a great deal of talk of them actually linking up in the ring of late, however. I'm not sure how much this stems from any statements by official sources but many boxing publications seem to view the shortlist of Alimkhanuly's next opponent as consisting of mandatory Chris Eubank Jr., further unification with Erislandy Lara or Jermall Charlo, Ring Magazine #2 ranked Carlos Adames, or fading legend GGG himself - with Jaime Munguía in the running until recently but a Cinco De Mayo clash with Mexican compatriot Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez expected to be finalized any day now.

As of last month the 41 year old was officially dropped from the rankings as one year had elapsed since Canelo took a trilogy-clinching UD over him. Alimkhanuly has fought thrice since then - capturing the WBO title (or rather, being upgraded from interim to full) and defending it twice, with the IBF strap now added into the bargain.

They have just one common opponent: Colombian glass cannon Milton De Jesús "El Misil" Nuñez de Orta, blitzed inside one round by Golovkin in 2010 at the beginning of his rise to stardom, and then again by Alimkhanuly six years later in the youngster's pro debut.

The lefty has eleven years of youth and 1½″ of both height and reach over his nation's most famous pugilist. Would this be a torch passing, or is the undefeated 30 year old as yet unready for even the current version of Alfred E. Neuman macht fleisch?

 

Probably a dream-come-true-cum-nightmare, I'd bet.

 

Reasonable take.