Two-time middleweight unified champion Gennady Golovkin says he could be tempted back into the ring to fight again, even if his bid to become president of World Boxing is successful.

The 43-year-old, once ranked boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter, last fought in 2022, when he was beaten for the second time by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, but has never officially announced his retirement.

Earlier this year Golovkin announced his candidacy for the presidency of World Boxing, the governing body for the amateur version of the sport. The organisation was set up in 2023 after the International Boxing Association was suspended by the IOC over governance and ethics concerns.

"Most likely, if my candidacy is successful, then I will probably announce officially that I have finished with boxing and ended my career," the Kazakh fighter told BBC Sport.

"Although… there is always a possibility. Since I always keep in shape and lead an athletic lifestyle, the option of fighting again is not out of the question."

Golovkin has served as leader of World Boxing's Olympic commission since last year, and will compete against Greek administrator Mariolis Charilaos for the presidency position. The election will be held in Rome on 23 November.

Though confirmed for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, boxing's longer term future at the Games is uncertain, and Golovkin insists he is the man to safeguard its future.

"Boxing has always been an integral part of my life, and right now, the position Olympic boxing is in is unacceptable", said Golovkin, who won silver as an amateur at the 2004 Games in Athens.

"This is a very dangerous situation, and I feel a tremendous desire to help, because there is a real threat that it will not be included in the Olympics after LA28.

"I call on all boxing fans, everyone who cares about this sport, to support amateur boxing. Everything starts here."

New law designed to 'control' fighters

Fighters' rights have come under scrutiny in the professional ranks recently because of a bill being put before US Congress which is backed by promoter TKO and UFC supremo Dana White.

Named the Muhammad Ali Revival Act, the bill would allow the creation of new boxing organisations which could serve as alternatives to the established sanctioning bodies, a proposal which has drawn significant criticism.

The original Ali Act, passed in 2000, aims to protect the rights, wellbeing and earning power of fighters, which some believe would be compromised if the new act becomes law.

"All this is being done in order to influence athletes and control them more," Golovkin said. "The old Ali Act has always worked. It protected athletes. Everything was fine."

One of the new boxing organisations that could be allowed to sanction fights is Zuffa Boxing, led by White and Saudi Arabian advisor Turki Alalshikh.

Saudi Arabia is playing an increasingly prominent role in boxing, hosting a series of major fights, buying a significant share in regular broadcaster DAZN, and taking control of world-renowned magazine The Ring.

But the country's role in elite sport is highly controversial, owing to its long history of human rights abuses. Amnesty International has vehemently criticised the country's treatment of women, use of the death penalty, and anti-LGBT laws.

Alalshikh has been accused of contributing to serious violations and is close to Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Golovkin says the country is prioritising global prestige over its own athletes.

"Saudi Arabia has built its place in history, in organising big boxing events," Golovkin said. "For many boxers, what Saudi Arabia is doing is very interesting. I don't know Alalshikh personally, but I see what he does from time to time, and I see the reaction.

"But for amateur boxing, it's a slightly different story. This is where athletes truly represent their country, younger athletes go through a certain path. I would like to see representatives of Saudi Arabia also perform strongly at the Olympics."

In recent years, matches featuring social media stars like Jake Paul have drawn huge audiences on streaming services, but some believe that the pivot towards internet celebrities has made a mockery of boxing and taken focus away from hard-working up-and-coming athletes.

"It's not that I would say influencer fights are wrong", Golovkin said. "It's just that everyone tries to be involved in boxing to show that they are relevant, because boxing is always relevant. For them, this is business.

"On the contrary, we must strive to popularise our sport even more and make it as transparent and safe as possible. That is our goal."

AI and gender tests on Golovkin agenda

Golovkin's World Boxing manifesto includes a pledge to launch an academy offering education and mental health support for fighters, a commitment to publish transparent financial accounts, and an intention to introduce artificial intelligence technology into refereeing.

"I believe in AI. Why? Because there is always a human factor", Golovkin said. "It's not that artificial intelligence will make decisions, but it will help with the decision in certain moments, during replays, where points will be counted.

"It is progressing so much that it is already an integral part of our future life, and will help in all sports."

Gender rules have been discussed across all sports in recent years, but especially in boxing, following Algerian fighter Imane Khelif's victory in the women's welterweight division at the Paris 2024 Games.

In May, World Boxing announced that Khelif will not be allowed to compete in the women's category until she undergoes a mandatory sex test.

Khelif was born a woman and has always competed in female boxing, but the IBA previously claimed she had failed a gender test. Khelif is appealing against the mandatory test decision.

Golovkin defended World Boxing's stance on using sex tests, which are controversial and were previously banned in Olympic sports.

"This case demonstrates that there were shortcomings, misunderstandings, and omissions [about gender] that really need to be addressed," he insisted.

"This must be corrected as much as possible. We are in favour of fair sport, where men box with men, women box with women.

"This is why these gender tests must be carried out."