Gennadiy Golovkin (40-1-1, 35 KOs) will get to fight in 2020 after it was confirmed he would defend his IBF middleweight title, as well as the IBO version of the title, against Kamil Szeremeta (21-0, 5 KOs) on Friday, Dec. 18 at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The mouthwatering clash between Kazakhstan's Golovkin and unbeaten Polish challenger Szeremeta will be held inside the "bubble" at Hard Rock Live behind closed doors, and the card will air live on DAZN in over 200 countries and territories across the globe.
Golovkin will be looking to make a record 21st defense of a world 160-pound crown, in his first action since his immense battle with Sergiy Derevyanchenko last October at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
"This is not just any fight. It is a fight with great meaning. I always have the greatest respect for all of my opponents. I have really missed boxing and I wanted to fight this year. The goal — fighting for a record 21st successful world title defense," said Golovkin, who has held a world championship belt every year since 2010.
Szeremeta, 31, won the European middleweight title in under two rounds when he stopped Alessandro Goddi in his own back yard in Italy on Feb. 23, 2018. After two defenses vs. Spain's Ruben Diaz and France's Andrew Francillette, Szeremeta claimed an eight-round decision over Nicaragua's Edwin Palacios before a second-round stoppage of Mexican Oscar Cortes on the Golovkin-Derevyanchenko undercard earned him mandatory status.
The title fight, Golovkin's first defense of this particular title reign, has been a long time coming thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, but both men are eager to return to action on a huge weekend of championship boxing.
"I want this title for Poland and my family. GGG is a great champion, one of the best in history, but it is time for replacement. Thank you for the great chance, I must take my opportunity to be the first world middleweight champion from Poland," Szeremeta said.
Golovkin's fight against mandatory challenger Szeremeta completes a huge weekend of boxing just before 2020 concludes.
The following day, former Golovkin opponent Saul "Canelo" Alvarez fights WBA (Super) and The Ring super-middleweight champion Callum Smith at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, also on DAZN.