Golovkin’s Style, Power Means He’s Capable of Klitschko-ish Domination

Published

10 years ago

October 21, 2014

Roberto Duran is on the list, Joe Frazier* is on the list and so is Mike Tyson. The list in this particular instance is of the fighters who immediately come to mind when thinking of boxers who have to be categorized as swarmers/attackers who could really punch with both hands. And that’s a rarity among that breed of fighter. If you’re a swarmer, your odds really go up when it comes to the regularity that you can land your finishing punches on your opponents. That said, there have not been many middleweight attackers who could really punch, especially with both hands. At least not until Gennady Golovkin 31-0 (28) showed up.

Since 1950, there have been three legitimate swarmers who held the middleweight title, starting with Jake LaMotta 83-19-4 (30) / 1949-51, who was known to play possum sometimes and then explode. Nonetheless, Jake was a pressure fighter who looked to force the fight. Gene Fullmer 55-6-3 (24) /1957 & 1959 and Dick Tiger 60-16-3 (27) 1962-63 & 1965-66 also excelled on the inside while carrying the action. All three are in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Fighters who force the fight and look to wage their battles on the inside are considered attackers or swarmers. Force any swarmer whose name isn’t Roberto Duran to fight in retreat and you’ll find a fighter who most resembles a fish out of water. In other words, he becomes a totally ineffective fighter. Swarmers tend to be on the shorter side with an average reach. Their calling card is pressure and volume punching. They thrive when they have their opponents pinned against the ropes or in one of the ring corners. And as you can see from the low knockout percentages of LaMotta, Fullmer and Tiger, being a big puncher isn’t a necessity for being an effective attacker, although it sure helps.

There is a commonality among the three Hall of Famers mentioned. And that is all three were unnaturally strong with great durability and owned a cast-iron chin as their last line of defense. In addition to that, all three lost their title to a fellow Hall of Famer.

LaMotta lost it to Sugar Ray Robinson, Fullmer, won it and lost it back to Robinson, while Tiger beat Fullmer for it the first time, lost it to Joey Giardello and then won it back from Giardello. The point here is, when an outstanding attacker comes along and wins the middleweight title, he’s usually a special or great fighter and historically, at least over the last 60 plus years, it’s taken another outstanding or all-time great to dethrone them.

That doesn’t bode well if you’re a contender or a fringe title belt holder in today’s middleweight division. Gennady Golovkin is the true middleweight boxing champion. No, he’s not the lineal title holder; however he’s the best and most dangerous fighter in the division. It’ll take a lot of money to get fighters who have something to lose get in the ring with him; I’m talking about the likes of Miguel Cotto, who is the lineal champ, along with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Saul Alvarez. Oh sure, fighters like Daniel Geale and Marco Antonio Rubio, Golovkin’s last two opponents, will step up to fight him because they had nothing to lose. Neither were big money fighters, nor did they come to the ring with a noteworthy title or stellar reputation.

Golovkin being one of those rare swarmers who can really hit with both hands makes him scary. When fighters enter the ring to fight Golovkin, they know he’s not one of those punchers where if you’re on your game, he might not touch you too frequently during the bout. It’s the opposite. Golovkin is going to press you from bell-to-bell and be in your face. He’s not averse to taking a couple of yours for the tradeoff being he can get a few of his in on you. And it’s not like if you take away one hand you don’t have to worry about the other.

In his second to last fight, he stopped Geale with one counter right hand, in which he really didn’t have his feet set and was slightly off balance. This past weekend he stopped Rubio with a high left-hook that was an arm punch without his body behind it. That’s two one-punch knockouts with each hand in his last two bouts. And yes, they were one punch knockouts because once they landed, the fights were over; there was no coming back for either Geale or Rubio once they were tagged clean, nor did they want to continue.

Swarmers like Golovkin are truth detectors when it comes to finding out how tough and willing their opponents are. Because they are on you and trying to end the fight every time they cut loose, they’re dangerous as long as they’re standing. No, I’m not convinced that Golovkin can’t be beaten. He’s not that fast of hand or foot, he’s hittable and the jury is still out regarding just how physically strong he is. Punching power and physicality is not the same thing, by the way. LaMotta, Fullmer and Tiger were off the chart when it came to strength that applies in the ring and had an abundance of that over Gennady. They could control and move their opponents where they needed them to go just with their shoulders. I don’t see that type physical strength in Golovkin, but he has something they didn’t – and that’s natural two-handed power that isn’t forced and is capable of sapping his opponents will almost on call, at least from what we’ve seen up to this point.

Unfortunately, today’s middleweight division is littered with tweeners. By tweeners I mean fighters that do not own one discernible weapon that most great fighters have. This is something that Golovkin would have to address before he goes at them as if they were handcuffed. It’s sort of like the predicament that Wladimir Klitschko is as a heavyweight. Golovkin, like Klitschko, looks more like a man amongst boys than a man amongst men. The difference is, Wladimir won’t come for you like Golovkin does. If you leave him alone, he’s content with winning every round without any close calls. That’s not Golovkin! Because he’s an attacker, he’s only effective and dangerous moving forward. That, and he really wants to deliver a special performance capped off with a memorable ending. Due to their styles, it’s much easier to be a pedestrian heavyweight contender and survive Klitschko than it is being a pedestrian middleweight contender trying to take Golovkin the distance, let alone win by fighting to survive.

When surveying the middleweight landscape, is there one fighter out there with the speed and boxing ability of Roy Jones, who could also punch? Is there a James Toney with a cast iron chin who could’ve gone to the ropes and tattooed Golovkin and stood there and fired back after Gennady planted a couple on him? And there certainly isn’t a Bernard Hopkins fighting at middleweight who would’ve shown Golovkin a different look and tactic every round, along with the chin to fight Gennady back and the guile to make his power a mirage?

In much the same way and for many of the same reasons, Gennady Golovkin could very easily dominate the middleweight division the way Wladimir Klitschko has the heavyweight division. The difference is, there are some star fighters slightly below and above middleweight who can supply Golovkin the challenge we all want him to soon be confronted by.

That said, his uniqueness of being a swarmer with two handed power campaigning in a division of tweeners insures that he’ll be at the top of the middleweight food chain until further notice.

*= Although Joe was known for his left hook, he was a debilitating body puncher with his right hand

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Frank Lotierzo

In a Massive Upset, Dakota Linger TKOs Kurt Scoby on a Friday Night in Atlanta

Published

12 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Arne K. Lang

In-a-Massive-Upset-Dakota-Linger-TKOs-Kurt-Scoby-on-a-Friday-Night-in-Atlanta

Although it was an 8-rounder on a show with two “tens,” Kurt Scoby’s match with Dakota Linger was accorded main event status on tonight’s card at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. This had everything to do with Scoby (pronounced Scooby), a former record-setting college running back who was considered one of the brightest prospects in the 140-pound weight class. “[Scoby] works harder than almost anyone I’ve ever seen,” said veteran New York promoter Lou DIBella in a conversation with Keith Idec. “But he’s literally getting better after every fight and he’s got the hammer of Thor, man. He can punch through walls.”

The Duarte, California product who has relocated to Brooklyn and trains at Gleason’s Gym, was undefeated (13-0) heading in and was expected to make Linger his ninth straight knockout victim. But Linger, a 29-year-old Buckhannon, West Virginia policemen whose first ring engagements were in Toughman competitions, wasn’t intimidated by Scoby’s press clippings or by Scoby’s bodybuilder physique.

Linger, who improved to 14-6-3 with his tenth win inside the distance, took the fight right to Scoby and repeatedly found a home for his overhand right. In the sixth round, after Linger strafed the ever-retreating Scoby with a barrage of punches, referee Malik Walid determined that he had seen enough and waived it off. The decision seemed a tad premature, but neither Scoby nor his cornermen offered anything in the way of a protest.

Tournament results

In the first installment of an 8-man super welterweight tournament, Brandon Adams returned to boxing after his second three-year layoff and showed no ring rust whatsoever. Adams, a 34-year-old family-man who grew up in the Watts district of LA, dismissed Ismael Villareal with a wicked punch to the liver in the waning seconds of round three. The official time was 2:59.

A former wold title challenger, Adams who improved to 23-3 (16 KOs), has become the king of boxing tournaments. He first attracted notice in 2018 when he won the fifth edition of “The Contender” series, scoring a wide 10-round decision over Shane Mosley Jr in the championship round.

Villareal, a second-generation prizefighter from the Bronx whose dad fought the likes of Hector Camacho, declined to 13-3.

Adams next opponent will be Francisco Veron who will bring a record of 14-0-1 (10).

In an energetic 10-rounder, Veron, a Florida-based Argentine with a strong amateur pedigree, scored a unanimous decision over Mexico-born, LA southpaw Angel Ruiz (18-3-1). The judges had it 100-90, 99-91, and 96-94.

Ruiz certainly had his moments, but Veron launched and landed many more punches despite fighting the last six rounds with a damaged eye.

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Avila Perspective, Chap. 281: The Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia Show

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

David A. Avila

Avila-Perspective-Chap-281-The-Devin-Haney-and-Ryan-Garcia-Show

Over the years bouts between old foes such as Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia tend to be surprising.

Yes, both are only 25 but have known each other for many years.

When undisputed super lightweight champion Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) steps into the prize ring at Barclays Center to meet challenger Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) on Saturday, April 20, fans will be witnessing the continuation of a feud that began more than a decade ago.

And though the champion is a heavy favorite, familiarity is Garcia’s best weapon heading into their fight on the Golden Boy Promotions card that will be shown on PPV.COM with Jim Lampley and friends. DAZN pay-per-view is also streaming the card.

In many ways Haney and Garcia have ventured down the same path. From amateur sensations to fighting in Mexico while teens to asking for the biggest challenges available.

“Whichever version of Ryan shows up on April 20, I will be ready for him. Ryan Garcia is just another opponent to me,” said Haney who holds the WBC super lightweight title after his win over Regis Prograis.

The first time I saw Haney as a pro he battled the dangerous Mexican contender Juan Carlos Burgos at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula. It was an impressive performance against a fighter who fought three times for a world title.

Haney was 19 at the time.

My first look at Garcia as a pro was in his first bout in the U.S. when he met Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Cruz at the Exchange in downtown Los Angeles. The Boricua looked at Garcia and tried intimidating him with stares, taunts and the usual patter. During the fight both swung and missed until the second round when Garcia zeroed in and took him out.

Garcia had just turned 18, the legal age to fight in California.

Both fighters did not have the Olympics credentials that lead to fame. But their talent has allowed them to fight through the dense smoke that is professional boxing.

Haney has defeated numerous world champions such as Prograis, Vasyl Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr., while Garcia has stopped champions Javier Fortuna and Luke Campbell.

As amateurs, Garcia and Haney battled six times with each winning three.

“They know each other very well,” said Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions. “Ryan is going to beat Devin Haney.”

Haney has a buttery-smooth style with one of the best jabs in boxing. He’s very adept at keeping distance and not allowing anyone to fight him inside. His reflexes are outstanding, yet he seldom fights inside. That’s his weakness.

Garcia fights tall and has superb hand speed and a lightning quick left hook. Though his defense lacks tightness his ability to rip off three-punch combinations in a blink of an eye pauses opponents from bullying their way inside.

“These guys always just look at me and look at me like I don’t know how to box,” said Garcia on social media. “Why was I one of the best fighters in the amateurs. Why was I a 15-time National champion…why did I beat everyone I came across.”

Haney is a strong favorite by oddsmakers to defeat Garcia. But you can never tell when it comes to fighters that know each other well and are athletically gifted.

When Sergio Mora challenged Vernon Forrest he was a big underdog. When Tim Bradley fought Manny Pacquiao the first time, he was also the underdog. And when Andy Ruiz met Anthony Joshua few gave him a chance.

Haney and Garcia have history in the ring. It should be an interesting battle.

PPV.COM

Jim Lampley will be leading the broadcast on PPV.COM for the Haney-Garcia card at Barclays and texting with fans on the card live. He will be accompanied by journalists Lance Pugmire, Dan Conobbio and former champion Chris Algieri.

The PPV.COM broadcast begins at 5 p.m. PT. and is available in Canada and the USA.

Other News

MMA stars Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal will be holding a media day event on Friday, April 19, at NOVO at L.A. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Diaz and Masvidal will be boxing against each other in a grudge match on June 1 at the KIA Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The two MMA stars met five years at UFC 244 with Masvidal winning by TKO over Diaz due to cuts.

This is a grudge match, but under boxing rules.

Fight card in Commerce, Calif.

360 Promotions returns to Commerce Casino on Saturday April 20 with undefeated super lightweight Cain Sandoval leading the charge.

Sandoval (12-0) faces Angel Rebollar (8-3) in the main event that will be shown live on UFC Fight Pass. Also on the card are two female events including hot prospect Lupe Medina (5-0) versus Sabrina Persona (3-1) in a minimumweight clash.

Doors open at 4 p.m.

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Boxing Odds and Ends: The Heavyweight Merry-Go-Round

Published

4 days ago

April 16, 2024

Arne K. Lang

Boxing Odds and Ends: The Heavyweight Merry-Go-Round

There were few surprises when co-promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren and their benefactor HE Turki Alalshikh held a press conference in London this past Monday to unveil the undercard for the Beterbiev-Bivol show at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 1. Most of the match-ups had already been leaked.

For die-hard boxing fans, Beterbiev-Bivol is such an enticing fight that it really doesn’t need an attractive undercard. Two undefeated light heavyweights will meet with all four relevant belts on the line in a contest where the oddsmakers straddled the fence. It’s a genuine “pick-‘em” fight based on the only barometer that matters, the prevailing odds.

But Beterbiev-Bivol has been noosed to a splendid undercard, a striking contrast to Saturday’s Haney-Garcia $69.99 (U.S.) pay-per-view in Brooklyn, an event where the undercard, in the words of pseudonymous boxing writer Chris Williams, is an absolute dumpster fire.

The two heavyweight fights that will bleed into Beterbiev-Bivol, Hrgovic vs. Dubois and Wilder vs. Zhang, would have been stand-alone main events before the incursion of Saudi money.

Hrgovic-Dubois

Filip Hrgovic (17-0, 13 KOs) and Daniel Dubois (20-2, 19 KOs) fought on the same card in Riyadh this past December. Hrgovic, the Croatian, was fed a softie in the form of Australia’s Mark De Mori who he dismissed in the opening round. Dubois, a Londoner, rebounded from his loss to Oleksandr Usyk with a 10^th-round stoppage of corpulent Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller.

There’s an outside chance that Hrgovic vs. Dubois may be sanctioned by the IBF for the world heavyweight title.

The May 18 showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury has a rematch clause. The IBF is next in line in the rotation system for a unified heavyweight champion and the organization has made it plain that the winner of Usyk-Fury must fulfill his IBF mandatory before an intervening bout.

The best guess is that the Usyk-Fury winner will relinquish the IBF belt. If so, Hrgovic and Dubois may fight for the vacant title although a more likely scenario is that the organization will keep the title vacant so that the winner can fight Anthony Joshua.

Wilder-Zhang

The match between Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) and Zhilei Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) is a true crossroads fight as both Wilder, 38, and Zhang, who turns 41 in May, are nearing the end of the road and the loser (unless it’s a close and entertaining fight) will be relegated to the rank of a has-been. In fact, Wilder has hinted that this may be his final rodeo.

Both are coming off a loss to Joseph Parker.

Wilder last fought on the card that included Hrgovic and Dubois and was roundly out-pointed by a man he was expected to beat. It’s a quick turnaround for Zhang who opposed Parker on March 8 and lost a majority decision.

Other Fights

Either of two other fights may steal the show on the June 1 event.

Raymond Ford (15-0-1, 8 KOs) meets Nick Ball (19-0-1, 11 KOs) in a 12-round featherweight contest. New Jersey’s Ford will be defending the WBA world title he won with a come-from-behind, 12th-round stoppage of Otabek Kholmatov in an early contender for Fight of the Year. Liverpool’s “Wrecking” Ball, a relentless five-foot-two sparkplug, had to settle for a draw in his title fight with Rey Vargas despite winning the late rounds and scoring two knockdowns.

Hamzah Sheeraz (19-0, 15 KOs) meets fellow unbeaten Austin “Ammo” Williams (16-0, 11 KOs) in a 12-round middleweight match. East London’s Sheeraz, the son of a former professional cricket player, is unknown in the U.S. although he trained for his recent fights at the Ten Goose Boxing Gym in California. Riding a skein of 13 straight knockouts, he has a date with WBO title-holder Janibek Alimkhanuly if he can get over this hurdle.

The Forgotten Heavyweight

“Unbeaten for seven years, the man nobody wants to fight,” intoned ring announcer Michael Buffer by way of introduction. Buffer was referencing Michael Hunter who stood across the ring from his opponent Artem Suslenkov.

This scene played out this past Saturday in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It was Hunter’s second fight in three weeks. On March 23, he scored a fifth-round stoppage of a 46-year-old meatball at a show in Zapopan, Mexico.

The second-generation “Bounty Hunter,” whose only defeat prior to last weekend came in a 12-rounder with Oleksandr Usyk, has been spinning his wheels since TKOing the otherwise undefeated Martin Bakole on the road in London in 2018. Two fights against hapless opponents on low-budget cards in Mexico and a couple of one-round bouts for the Las Vegas Hustle, an entry in the fledgling and largely invisible Professional Combat League, are the sum total of his activity, aside from sparring, in the last two-and-a-half years.

Hunter’s chances of getting another big-money fight took a tumble in Tashkent where he lost a unanimous decision in a dull affair to the unexceptional Suslenkov who was appearing in his first 10-round fight. The scores of the judges were not announced.

You won’t find this fight listed on boxrec. As Jake Donovan notes, the popular website will not recognize a fight conducted under the auspices of a rogue commission. (Another fight you won’t find on boxrec for the same reason is Nico Ali Walsh’s 6-round split decision over the 9-2-1 Frenchman, Noel Lafargue, in the African nation of Guinea on Dec. 16, 2023. You can find it on YouTube, but according to boxrec, boxing’s official record-keeper, it never happened.)

Anderson-Merhy Redux

The only thing missing from this past Saturday’s match in Corpus Christi, Texas, between Jared Anderson and Ryad Merhy was the ghost of Robert Valsberg.

Valsberg, aka Roger Vaisburg, was the French referee who disqualified Ingemar Johansson for not trying in his match with LA’s Ed Sanders in the finals of the heavyweight competition at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Valsberg tossed Johansson out of the ring after two rounds and Johansson was denied the silver medal. The Swede redeemed himself after turning pro, needless to say, when he demolished Floyd Patterson in the first of their three meetings.

Merhy was credited with throwing only 144 punches, landing 34, over the course of the 10 rounds. Those dismal figures yet struck many onlookers as too high. (This reporter has always insisted that the widely-quoted CompuBox numbers should be considered approximations.)

Whatever the true number, it was a disgraceful performance by Merhy who actually showed himself to have very fast hands on the few occasions when he did throw a punch. With apologies to Delfine Persoon, a spunky lightweight, U.S. boxing promoters should think twice before inviting another Belgian boxer to our shores.

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