Gennadiy Golovkin returns to his favourite stomping ground of New York this weekend to fight his way back into the reckoning as one of boxing’s best.

He challenges Sergiy Derevyanchenko for the IBF middleweight belt, with the action live on SuperSport 6 from 3am on Sunday.

“GGG” has slipped back in the public consciousness after his disputed loss and draw with Canelo Alvarez, but, even at 37, he is eager to demonstrate that he is still the slick, savage puncher of old.

He’s opted for a dangerous foe in Derevyanchenko, a stylish boxer who, like Golovkin, was schooled in the hardy East European amateur system.

Although his best performance came in a split-decision loss (to Daniel Jacobs), Derevyanchenko showed enough in that outing to suggest he has the tools to trouble Golovkin.

The Kazakh has spoken up the challenge that awaits at Madison Square Garden, but, thrillingly for fans, he’s also expressed his hunger for a knockout win.

“If you like a real fight, please don’t miss this,” Golovkin said after his opponent had made clear his intention to cause a major shock.

“I have the best opponent, Sergiy. I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a very good fighter. This is a real fight. I’m a little bit scared because he’s good. I know his team is very strong.

“And I’m scared because he looks good. He looks strong. He feels it’s his time right now. Maybe – this is boxing, nobody knows.”