Gennady Golovkin is undefeated in 26 professional fights. He’s held the WBA middleweight title since 2010. Some say he’s the most avoided fighter in the world. He’s a superman in the ring, able to knock out any opponent with a single punch.
But is he really all that?
Former British and European Middleweight champion Matthew Macklin (29-4, 20 KOs), who tangles with Golovkin this Saturday night, doesn’t think so.
“Gennady Golovkin is a good fighter,” Macklin told Kelsey McCarson of The Sweet Science. “He’s been willing to fight other top middleweights, but they haven’t been willing to fight him.
“I’m willing and ready. I can’t wait for the fight,” he added.
Macklin is best known for giving No. 3 ranked pound-for-pound kingpin Sergio Martinez hell for seven rounds last year, until running out of gas and being stopped. In 2011, in his first bid for a world title, Macklin lost a highly disputed decision to Felix Sturm. Macklin is an aggressive fighter, who likes to get his shots off first. He’s faced slightly better competition in his career than Golovkin.
Golovkin, 31, has stopped his last 13 opponents in succession. Nobuhiro Ishida, who defeated James Kirkland, thought he could outbox Golovkin. He tried until a Golovkin right, filled with dynamite, detonated on his chin. Ishida didn’t move for three minutes. Golovkin uses a strong jab to set up his power punches. His defense, and more importantly his chin, has never really been tested. Many wonder if Golovkin has a plan b.
So far, no other fighter has been able to take Golovkin into the later rounds.
Will Macklin be the one to push the man from Kazakhstan? The thirty-one-year-old from Birmingham, England is Golovkin’s kind of fighter. Macklin might try to use some subtle movement, but most of the action will commence in the center of the ring.
Golovkin likes his chances.
“I think this is a great fight for us,” said Golovkin during yesterday’s news conference. “I am the champion, and Matthew is the best challenger out there for me. This fight will prove who us truly the best in the middleweight division is truly.”
The outcome could be determined early. If Macklin is able to stand up to the vaunted Golovkin power, a great fight will follow. If he can’t, Golovkin will blow him out. Martinez was able to deck Macklin, and Golovkin packs a lot more power than Martinez.
Macklin should be able to hit Golovkin with some solid punches, so the questions surrounding the defending champions chin could be answered. Golovkin has never been knocked down as amateur or a professional.
This should be one dandy of a fight. Both boxers will be throwing leather. Golovkin will break down a very determined Macklin and stop him after round five.
The Golovkin vs. Macklin fight can be seen on HBO Boxing After Dark June 29 beginning at 9:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Ct. The HBO Sports team of Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman and Andre Ward will be ringside for the event.
John J. Raspanti responds to all his emails. Please send all questions and comments to John at: marlow_58@hotmail.com
