By Mark Whicker

Promoter Tom Loeffler said Wednesday that WBA/IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin wants to concentrate on unifying the titles in that division, provided he gets by Daniel Geale in Madison Square Garden July 26.

That means Golovkin has his eyes on Miguel Cotto (WBC), Peter Quillin (WBO) and Sam Soliman (IBF).

"It's important to unify because there's all these fighters who don't want to fight Gennady," Loeffler said. "This would give them one less reason not to."

Loeffler also said Golovkin and his family will move to Santa Monica soon, where he held a workout and press conference Wednesday, and that he hopes to stage some of Golovkin's fights in the Los Angeles area. A logical spot would be the refurbished Forum, who drew over 12,000 in May ffor Juan Manuel Marquez's victory over Mike Alvarado.

Golovkin already trains at Big Bear Lake, which is either two or 10 hours east of Los Angeles depending on when you choose to drive.

None of Golovkin's fights have gone to the 12th round before. He is 29-0 with 26 knockouts. But he predicted his fight with Geale "will go 12 rounds. He's too good a fighter."

"Geale beat two Germans in Germany," said Abel Sanchez, Golovkin's trainer. "That's all you need to know."

Loeffler had heard Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya nominate Golovkin as a possible oppoennt for Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, after Canelo decisioned Erislandy Lara Saturday night. Loeffler called it "very intreresting" and pointed out that negotiations or a fight with either Canelo or Quillin will be easier since De La Hoya is solely in charge of Golden Boy.

Mark Whicker has been a sports columnist in Southern California for 27 years.