WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin will defend his title against challenger Marco Antonio Rubio at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on October 18.

Tom Loeffler, Golovkin's promoter, announced the upcoming fight on HBO on Tuesday. ''His growing popularity across the country compels us to bring this highly anticipated fight to the StubHub Center, which has hosted so many exciting boxing events in recent years,'' said Loeffler, the managing director of K2 Promotions in an interview with the Associated Press.

Like Us on Facebook

Golovkin (30-0, 27 KOs) will have his much-anticipated West Coast debut against a Mexican warrior who won 16 of his last 17 fights. His American debut match in September 2012 as well as four of his fights were held on the East Coast.

The Kazakh-born champion lives in Germany but holds his training in Big Bear, California under the supervision of trainer Abel Sanchez.

Golovkin is already well-known among the West Coast's hardcore boxing fans. In recent months, the man has been overwhelmed by fans seeking for autographs while watching fights at the outdoor ring or the nearby Forum.

The 32-year-old fighter recorded 17 consecutive wins by stoppage while climbing the middleweight division. He recently won over Daniel Geale through a third round TKO at Madison Square Garden. The fight marked his 11^th successive title defense.

On the other hand, Rubio has not been knocked down since 2004 and is currently riding on a 6-fight winning streak. The match will be El Veneno's third shot at a middleweight title. Aside from his loss to Chavez Jr. in 2012, Rubio also faced Kelly Pavlik  in 2009 for his WBC and WBO middleweight titles.

This summer, Golovkin nearly sealed a deal to face Chavez Jr. at the Forum but Team Chavez withdrew late in the discussions. He then went on to materialize the Geale fight that finished in a knockout fashion.

TagsBoxing, gennady golovkin, marco antonio rubio, stubhub center