It would seem that WBC, IBF, and IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin sees his bout with American Daniel Jacobs as a mere stepping stone as he looks to secure a potential mega-fight with Canelo Alvarez.

While trying to emphasise that his focus was on Jacobs, Golovkin could not hide the fact that he is looking beyond this weekend, revealing that he has been in negotiations with the Alvarez camp for nearly two years now.

He told Sky Sports News: "Right now my focus is on Daniel Jacobs because he's a very serious guy, a world champion, this is a unification fight.

"Next step I'm ready for anybody, Canelo Alvarez or anyone it doesn't matter for me."

The last time Golovkin took to the canvas was to do away with Kell Brook in London last year, but he believes that dreams of an Alvarez bout may soon come a reality, touting a possible September date for a bout with the Mexican, who is the current WBO light middleweight title holder.

"I've spoken with him [Alvarez] for two years, and I think maybe he's ready now for a fight this year, maybe in September. Hopefully," Golovkin added.

Golovkin will be well served to focus on Jacobs, a world champion in his own right, however.

Their unification bout at the mecca of boxing Madison Square Garden on Saturday night is set to be one hell of a rumble, and if Golovkin is as eager to secure a bout with Alvarez as he is making out, it's a fight he needs to win.

Jacobs' current record reads as 32-1 with 29 knockouts, and he has stated in the build up that he "fears no man."

It looks as if his focus is where it should be and he will be desperate to prove that he is no stepping stone when the gloves come off (figuratively of course) on Saturday night.

For Golovkin, on the other hand, a win will be a massive boost as he works towards securing a fight with Alvarez.