IBF world middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin is finally returning to the ring when he takes on WBA champion Ryota Murata in Japan on December 29th.
But while Murata will pose a tough test for Golovkin, fight fans are already thinking about a possible trilogy fight with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez following his win against Caleb Plant last week.
However, if GGG wants to face the undisputed super-middleweight champion for a third time, he needs to make a statement against Murata.
"I think we need to see a vintage GGG knockout victory, just to make the fans salivate for that Canelo fight," Ak stated on the latest episode of The DAZN Boxing Show.
"You need people to want that fight. If you see Canelo coming off a Caleb Plant and you see GGG going the distance - struggling with a Murata - guess what? That fight is going to lose a little steam.”
Barak on the other hand is concerned Golovkin's age and inactivity could hinder his ability to make easy work of Murata.
"You're 39 years old. And you got somebody in there that's kind of like you, you know, he's the Japanese version of GGG," Barak said.
"He's [Ryota Murata] got that high guard and he moves forward. He's a knockout artist, he's got a high knockout percentage and chases his guys down."
When it came to predicting how the fight will play out, Ak is confident Golovkin will be able to produce an explosive performance and purse a third fight with Canelo.
"I see GGG here being able to have a statement victory - not only steamrolling but outboxing this guy for a few rounds and then knocking him out, which would be a great statement and a good case for a trilogy against Canelo Alvarez."
Watch The DAZN Boxing Show discuss Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's future below.