Sources close to Gennady Golovkin suggest that the former unified middleweight world champion is close to an eagerly-awaited return to the ring.

Golovkin, from Kazakhstan, suffered bitter disappointment in his last fight as he narrowly lost out to Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez by majority decision in an epic encounter in Las Vegas.

The pair also met in Vegas in 2017 when they could not be split.

The results of both fights could have arguably gone Golovkin's way, and the former WBC, WBA, IBF and IBO belt holder will want to get back to winning ways having lost for the first time in 40 professional fights.

And now, sources close to Golovkin, according to ESPN, who resides in Santa Monica, California, have suggested that a fight at Madison Square Garden in New York is close to be finalised for June 8.

The Kazakh boxer signed a three-year six-fight nine-figure deal with streaming service DAZN on March 8, and his fight in New York will form the first fixture in that contract.

With Anthony Joshua fighting Jarrell 'Baby' Miller at the same venue on June 1, Golovkin's fight would mark the first time in decades that Madison Square Garden will host back-to-back boxing events.

If Golovkin wins on his return in June and Alvarez, who also has a long-term deal with DAZN, defeats Daniel Jacobs in their world title unification bout on May 4 in Las Vegas, Alvarez-Golovkin III is likely to take place this September.

Before then, though, Golovkin needs to find an opponent.

Brandon Adams (21-2, 13 KOs), 29, of Los Angeles, who won the Epix reboot of "The Contender" reality series in November, was originally a name at the top of the list. Adams, however, has chosen to fight interim middleweight titlist Jermall Charlo in a Premier Boxing Champions bout this summer.

As a result, offers have been made to potential opponents - unbeaten Canadian Steve Rolls and former middleweight world titlist Hassan N'Dam from Cameroon.

Rolls (19-0, 10 KOs), 34, is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision against journeyman KeAndrae Leatherwood in December in Toronto, but has largely faced limited opposition.

N'Dam is coming off a 12-round majority decision win against long-time contender and former world title challenger Martin Murray in December in Murray's home country of England.

It may not be a stellar name like Alvarez, but Golovkin needs a fresh challenge and a break from facing the Mexican for now before their almost-inevitable third clash in the near future.