The middleweight champion still expects to fight in 2022 despite approaching 40
Photo Credit: Amanda Westcott / DAZN
Gennadiy Golovkin is not planning his retirement despite the postponement of his title fight with Ryota Murata.
The 39-year-old Kazakhstani fighter had been duer to fight in Saitama, Japan, on December 29 in a unification fight at middleweight.
However Japan has closed its borders in response to the news of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Responding to the delay, Golovkin said: "I am deeply disappointed that this fight has been postponed.
"But the health and safety of the public must always be the priority. I look forward to returning to the ring against Ryota as soon as possible."
Speaking to The Sun, Golovkin said: “I’ll be looking closely at myself.
"I’m extremely fit right now, I feel great and of course all my career decisions will be based on how I feel. Currently, I feel great.”
The IBF champion continued: “All my decisions will be regarded as the right decision by me, whether I want to continue and take part in a fight.
“I will regard that as the right decision, if I want to conclude my career, that will also be the right decision.
“I am comfortable right now with how my career is progressing and what’s happening and I’m sure whatever I do, will be right for me.”
Golovkin explained the difficulties of going away to training camps, saying: “It’s just a way for me to get away from my family and concentrate on the training process, as I have a large family at home.
“It’s somewhat distracting, to be honest! Of course there are certain details and nuances, we approach each opponent a little bit differently.
“Although there is a foundation of training which is always a part of the camp.”
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