Connect with us

Featured Articles

Meet Gennady Golovkin

Published

on

Gennady-GolovkinEarlier this month, The Sweet Science posted the results of a poll that asked the question, “What would happen if the best thirteen middleweights in the world fought a round-robin tournament against one another? Ten matchmakers and three expert analysts participated in the deliberations. When the polling was done, 1,014 fight predictions were entered into the data base.

As expected, Sergio Martinez finished first. Two other middleweights separated themselves from the rest of the field. One of them (the second-place finisher) was Gennady Golovkin.

Golovkin had more than three hundred amateur fights in his native Kazakhstan and lost only a handful. He says that he has never been knocked down as an amateur or pro and is willing to fight at any weight from 154 to 168 pounds. He won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics and a World Amateur Boxing Championship the year before. His victims in the amateur ranks included Andre Dirrell, Lucian Bute, Andy Lee, Daniel Geale, and Matt Korobov.

Gennady now lives in Germany and has compiled a professional record of 22-and-0 with 19 knockouts. In the convoluted world of professional boxing, he is one of several WBA middleweight champions.

It’s unclear how good Golovkin is, or might become, because his record is devoid of world-class opponents. But the manner in which he has performed to date has given rise to great expectations.

Abel Sanchez (Golovkin’s trainer) says, “Gennady is very patient. He’s like a sniper. He waits for the right moment to go for the kill; and when it comes, he’s deadly. I’ve been around a lot of fighters who were motivated by anger. Gennady is motivated by the pursuit of excellence. He’s the whole package. Power, patience, conditioning, a cerebral approach. Fighters call out other fighters all the time. But you don’t hear anyone saying ‘I want Golovkin.’”

Gennady has a soft voice, easy-going manner, and warm welcoming smile. He looks younger than his thirty years and speaks with a rapid cadence. Among the thoughts he offered in a recent interview were:

* “My father was a coal miner. My mother worked as an assistant in a chemical laboratory. I have a twin brother named Max. We started boxing when I was ten. Almost always, we were in the same weight division. Max was technically better than I was. I was more aggressive and the harder puncher. We decided from the beginning that we would never fight each other. Three times, we were in the finals of the same important tournament; and each time, one of us stepped aside. At the 2004 Olympic trials, Max stepped aside so I could go to the Olympics. After that, I took the risk to leave Kazakhstan and turn professional. Max stayed in Kazakhstan to take care of our parents and look after my financial interests.”

* “I was nine years old when the Soviet Union disintegrated and Kazakhstan became an independent country. It was depressing at first. The economic and social condition of the country went into crisis. We lacked things that people take for granted and lived our lives within a limited framework. There was a lot of worry about what would happen next. We didn’t know what the future would hold. Now things are better. There is more for the people to enjoy and life is good.”

* “The best thing about being a fighter is taking everything I’ve learned and applying it to real life. In the ring, that is hard. You can’t always do what you want to do. I know that perfection will never come to me as a boxer, but I keep striving to achieve it.”

* “Courage is the responsibility of every boxer. When a boxer is in the ring, he cannot feel fear. But I don’t think that being a boxer requires cruelty. For me, boxing is a sport. It isn’t about cruelty. Does a soldier have to be cruel to do his job?”

* “Sergio Martinez is a very good boxer. Right now, he deserves to be called the middleweight champion of the world. I think I am better, but I do not know that for sure. I would like to fight him to find out.”

Last week, Golovkin came to New York to attend the championship bout between Martinez and Matthew Macklin. On his first night in the Big Apple, he went to a restaurant, where the doorman looked at him and asked, “Do you remember me?”

“No,” Golovkin answered honestly.

“Well, my chin remembers you very well.”

Gennady looked more closely. Then the two men embraced.

The doorman was Ramadan Nasser, who Golovkin defeated in the second round of the 2004 Olympics.

“He is from Egypt,” Gennady said afterward. “Now he lives in New York. The restaurant is his sponsor. He is part-owner of a gym and is a professional fighter [with a 7-and-0 record]. We never know what life holds for us. But so far, that is not a bad result.”

Thomas Hauser can be reached by email at thauser@rcn.com. His most recent book (Winks and Daggers: An Inside Look at Another Year in Boxing) was published by the University of Arkansas Press.

Comment on this article

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Thomas Hauser is the author of 52 books. In 2005, he was honored by the Boxing Writers Association of America, which bestowed the Nat Fleischer Award for career excellence in boxing journalism upon him. He was the first Internet writer ever to receive that award. In 2019, Hauser was chosen for boxing's highest honor: induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Lennox Lewis has observed, “A hundred years from now, if people want to learn about boxing in this era, they’ll read Thomas Hauser.”

Advertisement

Featured Articles

Najee Lopez Steps up in Class and Wins Impressively at Plant City

Published

on

Najee-Lopez-Steps-Up-in-Class-and-Wins-Impressively-at-Plant-City

Garry Jonas’ ProBox series returned to its regular home in Plant City, Florida, tonight with a card topped by a 10-round light heavyweight match between fast-rising Najee Lopez and former world title challenger Lenin Castillo. This was considered a step-up fight for the 25-year-old Lopez, an Atlanta-born-fighter of Puerto Rican heritage. Although the 36-year-old Castillo had lost two of his last three heading in, he had gone the distance with Dimitry Bivol and Marcus Browne and been stopped only once (by Callum Smith).

Lopez landed the cleaner punches throughout. Although Castillo seemed unfazed during the first half of the fight, he returned to his corner at the end of round five exhibiting signs of a fractured jaw.

In the next round, Lopez cornered him against the ropes and knocked him through the ropes with a left-right combination. Referee Emil Lombardo could have stopped the fight right there, but he allowed the courageous Castillo to carry on for a bit longer, finally stopping the fight as Castillo’s corner and a Florida commissioner were signaling that it was over.

The official time was 2:36 of round six. Bigger fights await the talented Lopez who improved to 13-0 with his tenth win inside the distance. Castillo declined to 25-7-1.

Co-Feature

In a stinker of a heavyweight fight, Stanley Wright, a paunchy, 34-year-old North Carolina journeyman, scored a big upset with a 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Jeremiah Milton.

Wright carried 280 pounds, 100 pounds more than in his pro debut 11 years ago. Although he was undefeated (13-0, 11 KOs), he had never defeated an opponent with a winning record and his last four opponents were a miserable 19-48-2. Moreover, he took the fight on short notice.

What Wright had going for him was fast hands and, in the opening round, he put Milton on the canvas with a straight right hand. From that point, Milton fought tentatively and Wright, looking fatigued as early as the fourth round, fought only in spurts. It seemed doubtful that he could last the distance, but Milton, the subject of a 2021 profile in these pages, was wary of Wright’s power and unable to capitalize. “It’s almost as if Milton is afraid to win,” said ringside commentator Chris Algieri during the ninth stanza when the bout had devolved into a hugfest.

The judges had it 96-93 and 97-92 twice for the victorious Wright who boosted his record to 14-0 without improving his stature.

Also

In the TV opener, a 10-round contest in the junior middleweight division, Najee Lopez stablemate Darrelle Valsaint (12-0, 10 KOs) scored his career-best win with a second-round knockout of 35-year-old Dutch globetrotter Stephen Danyo (23-7-3).

A native Floridian of Haitian descent, the 22-year-old Valsaint was making his eighth start in Plant City. He rocked Danyo with a chopping right hand high on the temple and then, as Danyo slumped forward, applied the exclamation point, a short left uppercut. The official time was 2:17 of round two.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue is Headed to Vegas after KOing Ye Joon Kim

Published

on

Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-is-Headed-to-Vegas-after-KOing-Y-Joon-Kim

Japan’s magnificent Naoya Inoue, appearing in his twenty-fourth title fight, scored his 11th straight stoppage tonight while successfully defending his unified super bantamweight title, advancing his record to 29-0 (26 KOs) at the expense of Ye Joon Kim. The match at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena came to an end at the 2:25 mark of round four when U.S. referee Mark Nelson tolled “10” over the brave but overmatched Korean.

Kim, raised in a Seoul orphanage, had a few good moments, but the “Monster” found his rhythm in the third round, leaving Kim with a purplish welt under his left eye. In the next frame, he brought the match to a conclusion, staggering the Korean with a left and then finishing matters with an overhand right that put Kim on the seat of his pants, dazed and wincing in pain.

Kim, who brought a 21-2-2 record, took the fight on 10 days’ notice, replacing Australia’s Sam Goodman who suffered an eye injury in sparring that never healed properly, forcing him to withdraw twice.

Co-promoter Bob Arum, who was in the building, announced that Inoue’s next fight would happen in Las Vegas in the Spring. Speculation centers on Mexico City’s Alan Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) who is ranked #1 by the WBC. However, there’s also speculation that the 31-year-old Inoue may move up to featherweight and seek to win a title in a fifth weight class, in which case a potential opponent is Brandon Figueroa should he defeat former Inoue foe Stephen Fulton next weekend. In “olden days,” this notion would have been dismissed as the Japanese superstar and Figueroa have different promoters, but the arrival of Turki Alalshikh, the sport’s Daddy Warbucks, has changed the dynamic. Tonight, Naoya Inoue made his first start as a brand ambassador for Riyadh Season.

Simmering on the backburner is a megafight with countryman Junto Nakatani, an easy fight to make as Arum has ties to both. However, the powers-that-be would prefer more “marination.”

Inoue has appeared twice in Las Vegas, scoring a seventh-round stoppage of Jason Moloney in October of 2020 at the MGM Bubble and a third-round stoppage of Michael Dasmarinas at the Virgin Hotels in June of 2021.

Semi-wind-up

In a 12-round bout for a regional welterweight title, Jin Sasaki improved to 19-1-1 (17) with a unanimous decision over Shoki Sakai (29-15-3). The scores were 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112.

Also

In a bout in which both contestants were on the canvas, Toshiki Shimomachi (20-1-3) edged out Misaki Hirano (11-2), winning a majority decision. A 28-year-old Osaka southpaw with a fan-friendly style, the lanky Shimomachi, unbeaten in his last 22 starts, competes as a super bantamweight. A match with Inoue may be in his future.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Eric Priest Wins Handily on Thursday’s Golden Boy card at the Commerce Casino

Published

on

Eric-Priest-Wins-Handily-on-Thursday's-Golden-Boy-card-at-the-Commerce-Casino

Model turned fighter Eric Priest jabbed and jolted his way into the super middleweight rankings with a shutout decision win over veteran Tyler Howard on Thursday.

In his first main event Priest (15-0, 8 KOs) proved ready for contender status by defusing every attack Tennessee’s Howard (20-3, 11 KOs) could muster at Commerce Casino, the second fight in six days at the LA County venue.

All ticket monies collected on the Folden Boy Promotions card were contributed to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation as they battle wildfires sprouting all over Los Angeles County due to high winds.

Priest, 26, had never fought anyone near Howard’s caliber but used a ramrod jab to keep the veteran off-balance and unable to muster a forceful counter-attack. Round after round the Korean-American fighter pumped left jabs while circling his opposition.

Though hit with power shots, none seemed to faze Howard but his own blows were unable to put a dent in Priest. After 10 rounds of the same repetitive action all three judges scored the fight 100-90 for Priest who now wins a regional super middleweight title.

Priest also joins the top 15 rankings of the WBA organization.

In a fight between evenly matched middleweights, Jordan Panthen (11-0, 9 KOs) remained undefeated after 10 rounds versus DeAundre Pettus (12-4, 7 KOs). Though equally skilled, Panthen simply out-worked the South Caroliina fighter to win by unanimous decision. No knockdowns were scored.

Other Bouts

Grant Flores (8-0, 6 KOs) knocked out Costa Rica’s David Lobo Ramirez (17-4, 12 KOs) with two successive right uppercuts at 2:59 of the second round of the super welterweight fight.

Cayden Griffith (3-0, 3 KOs) used a left hook to the body to stop Mark Misiura at 1:43 of the second round in a super welterweight bout.

Jordan Fuentes (3-0) floored Brandon Badillo (0-3-1) in the third round and proceeded to win by decision after four rounds in a super bantamweight fight.

A super featherweight match saw Leonardo Sanchez (8-0) win by decision over Joseph Cruz Brown (10-12) after six rounds.

Photo credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
2024-Boxing-Obituaries-PART-ONE.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

For Whom the Bell Tolled: 2024 Boxing Obituaries PART ONE (Jan.-June)

RIP-Paul-Bamba-1989-2024-The-Story-Behind-the-Story
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

R.I.P. Paul Bamba (1989-2024): The Story Behind the Story

For-Whom-the-Bell-Tolled-2024-Boxing-Obituaries-PART-TWO-July-December
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

For Whom the Bell Tolled: 2024 Boxing Obituaries PART TWO: (July-Dec.)

Oleksandr-Usyk-is-the-TSS-2024-Fighter-of-the-Year
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Oleksandr Usyk is the TSS 2024 Fighter of the Year

Jai-Opetaia-Brutally-KOs-David-Nyika-Cementing-his-Status-as-the-World's-Top-Cruiserweight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jai Opetaia Brutally KOs David Nyika, Cementing his Status as the World’s Top Cruiserweight

A-No-Brainer-Turki-Alalshikh-is-the-TSS-2024-Promoter-of-the-Year
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A No-Brainer: Turki Alalshikh is the TSS 2024 Promoter of the Year

Skylar-Lacy-Blocked-for-Lamar-Jackson-Before-Making-his-Mark-in-Boxing
Featured Articles6 days ago

Skylar Lacy Blocked for Lamar Jackson before Making his Mark in Boxing

Bygone-Days-The-Largest-Crowd-Ever-at-Madison-Square-Garden-Sees-Zivic-TKO-Armstrong
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Bygone Days: The Largest Crowd Ever at Madison Square Garden Sees Zivic TKO Armstrong

Mizuki-Hiruta-Dominates-in-her-U.S.-Debut-and-Trinidad-Wins-Too-at-Commerce
Featured Articles1 week ago

Mizuki Hiruta Dominates in her U.S. Debut and Omar Trinidad Wins Too at Commerce

Don't-Underestimate-Gloria-Alvarado-An-Unconventional-Boxing-Coach
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Don’t Underestimate Gloria Alvarado, an Unconventional Boxing Coach

Avila-Perspective-Chap-309-360-Promotions-Opens-with-Trinidad-Mizuki-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 309: 360 Promotions Opens with Trinidad, Mizuki and More

Dante-Kirkman-Merging-the-Sweet-Science-with-Education
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Dante Kirkman: Merging the Sweet Science with Education

Boxing-Trainer-Bob-Santos-Paid-his-Dues-and-is-Reaping the Rewards
Featured Articles1 week ago

Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Paid his Dues and is Reaping the Rewards

Avila-Perspective-Chap-310-Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 310: Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue and More

Najee-Lopez-Steps-Up-in-Class-and-Wins-Impressively-at-Plant-City
Featured Articles16 hours ago

Najee Lopez Steps up in Class and Wins Impressively at Plant City

Eric-Priest-Wins-Handily-on-Thursday's-Golden-Boy-card-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles1 day ago

Eric Priest Wins Handily on Thursday’s Golden Boy card at the Commerce Casino

Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-is-Headed-to-Vegas-after-KOing-Y-Joon-Kim
Featured Articles1 day ago

Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue is Headed to Vegas after KOing Ye Joon Kim

Najee-Lopez-Steps-Up-in-Class-and-Wins-Impressively-at-Plant-City
Featured Articles16 hours ago

Najee Lopez Steps up in Class and Wins Impressively at Plant City

Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-is-Headed-to-Vegas-after-KOing-Y-Joon-Kim
Featured Articles1 day ago

Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue is Headed to Vegas after KOing Ye Joon Kim

Eric-Priest-Wins-Handily-on-Thursday's-Golden-Boy-card-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles1 day ago

Eric Priest Wins Handily on Thursday’s Golden Boy card at the Commerce Casino

Avila-Perspective-Chap-310-Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 310: Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue and More

Skylar-Lacy-Blocked-for-Lamar-Jackson-Before-Making-his-Mark-in-Boxing
Featured Articles6 days ago

Skylar Lacy Blocked for Lamar Jackson before Making his Mark in Boxing

Mizuki-Hiruta-Dominates-in-her-U.S.-Debut-and-Trinidad-Wins-Too-at-Commerce
Featured Articles1 week ago

Mizuki Hiruta Dominates in her U.S. Debut and Omar Trinidad Wins Too at Commerce

Avila-Perspective-Chap-309-360-Promotions-Opens-with-Trinidad-Mizuki-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 309: 360 Promotions Opens with Trinidad, Mizuki and More

Boxing-Trainer-Bob-Santos-Paid-his-Dues-and-is-Reaping the Rewards
Featured Articles1 week ago

Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Paid his Dues and is Reaping the Rewards

Bygone-Days-The-Largest-Crowd-Ever-at-Madison-Square-Garden-Sees-Zivic-TKO-Armstrong
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Bygone Days: The Largest Crowd Ever at Madison Square Garden Sees Zivic TKO Armstrong

Jai-Opetaia-Brutally-KOs-David-Nyika-Cementing-his-Status-as-the-World's-Top-Cruiserweight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jai Opetaia Brutally KOs David Nyika, Cementing his Status as the World’s Top Cruiserweight

RIP-Paul-Bamba-1989-2024-The-Story-Behind-the-Story
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

R.I.P. Paul Bamba (1989-2024): The Story Behind the Story

Don't-Underestimate-Gloria-Alvarado-An-Unconventional-Boxing-Coach
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Don’t Underestimate Gloria Alvarado, an Unconventional Boxing Coach

Dante-Kirkman-Merging-the-Sweet-Science-with-Education
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Dante Kirkman: Merging the Sweet Science with Education

For-Whom-the-Bell-Tolled-2024-Boxing-Obituaries-PART-TWO-July-December
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

For Whom the Bell Tolled: 2024 Boxing Obituaries PART TWO: (July-Dec.)

2024-Boxing-Obituaries-PART-ONE.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

For Whom the Bell Tolled: 2024 Boxing Obituaries PART ONE (Jan.-June)

Oleksandr-Usyk-is-the-TSS-2024-Fighter-of-the-Year
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Oleksandr Usyk is the TSS 2024 Fighter of the Year

A-No-Brainer-Turki-Alalshikh-is-the-TSS-2024-Promoter-of-the-Year
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A No-Brainer: Turki Alalshikh is the TSS 2024 Promoter of the Year

The-Ortiz-Bohachuk-Thriller-has-been-named-the-TSS-2024-Fight-of-the-Year
Featured Articles1 month ago

The Ortiz-Bohachuk Thriller has been named the TSS 2024 Fight of The Year

Women's-Prizefighting-Year-End-Review-The-Best-of-the-Best-in-2024
Featured Articles1 month ago

Women’s Prizefighting Year End Review: The Best of the Best in 2024

Lucas-Bahdi-Forged-he-RSS-2024-Knockout-of-the-Year
Featured Articles1 month ago

Lucas Bahdi Forged the TSS 2024 Knockout of the Year

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Advertisement