Has Gennady Golovkin Become The Number One Middleweight In The World?

On October 17th the spotlight of the sport of Boxing centered on a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY to see the highly anticipated World Middleweight championship unification clash between undefeated WBA/IBO world champion Gennady Golovkin and IBF world champion David Lemieux. Beyond the fight serving a purpose in further unifying the Middleweight division, what made this encounter so interesting was the fact that it was a battle between two knockout artists.

Prior to this fight, this observer stated that it would not surprise me to see a tactical battle initially. Both fighters do indeed have one punch knockout power in either hand and it is certainly understandable given each fighter’s extremely high career knockout percentages of 91% and 86% respectively that either may have been wary of the other.

Although many anticipated a “Shootout” between the two, what happened instead was a demonstration of one fighter’s overall skill and superiority over his opposition. Despite entering the fight with a career knockout percentage of 91% and having knocked out his previous twenty opponents, Gennady Golovkin showed in this fight that he is much more than a mere power puncher.

The story of this fight was Golovkin’s ability to dictate and dominate the combat with a consistent jab, lateral movement and ability to mix in combinations with both hands. Golovkin was able to keep Lemieux at distance and frequently make him miss. Although Lemieux did have some success landing solid punches periodically throughout this fight, anything he did land Golovkin immediately had an answer for, while Lemieux could not find a way to avoid Golovkin’s jab.

Even though it was clear that Golovkin was dominating the fight as it progressed, an element of controversy would emerge in the closing seconds of round five. Golovkin was able to knock Lemieux down with a flush left hook to the body. As Lemieux absorbed the punch and seemed to have a delayed reaction before going down, Golovkin would land a right hand to Lemieux’s head after he had taken a knee.

Although there have been times throughout the history of the sport where fighters have been disqualified for hitting a downed opponent regardless of whether it was intentional or not, there would be no penalty against Golovkin. Despite the fact that some fighters have been disqualified under similar circumstances, this observer believes that it was an unintentional foul and the decision to not at minimum deduct a point from Golovkin or to enforce a more severe ruling simply comes down to a referee’s discretion.

The mild controversy notwithstanding, what should be applauded is the heart that David Lemieux showed by not only getting up from a body shot that would have ended the night for most fighters, but continuing to fight on. Although Lemieux, who was making the first defense of his IBF world championship, was very “Game” as some previous Golovkin opponents have been in their respective challenges of his unified world championship, he simply could not find a way to turn the fight in his favor.

After Lemieux sustained significant punishment at the hands of Golovkin throughout the entire bout, the fight was stopped in the eighth round. For Gennady Golovkin, it was a near perfect performance against a very dangerous opponent in David Lemieux. Along with unifying his WBA/IBO world championship with Lemieux’s IBF world championship, the victory extended Golovkin’s knockout streak to twenty-one in what was his fifteenth successful title defense.

Golovkin is now five successful defenses away from tying the all-time record for successful World Middleweight championship defenses of twenty, which was set by Bernard Hopkins from 1995-2005. Coming out of this fight an interesting question that some Boxing fans and experts alike might be asking is did the victory over Lemieux clearly establish Golovkin as the number one fighter in the Middleweight division? Although Miguel Cotto, the current WBC world champion is considered to be the number one fighter in the division due to his dominating championship victory over former world champion Sergio Martinez, the man previously considered to be the top fighter in the division last year, it is hard to argue against Golovkin’s statistics.

Golovkin is clearly the most active of the three world champions currently in the division over Cotto and WBO world champion Andy Lee. After fifteen successful title defenses and twenty-one consecutive knockouts, this observer believes Golovkin is the top fighter in the division and it will be up to Cotto, Lee, or a top contender to dethrone Golovkin’s position atop the division.

As has been the case after virtually every Gennady Golovkin championship defense, the question remains. Who can provide the unified world champion with a significant test? Although some believed that David Lemieux was arguably the biggest threat to Golovkin in terms of his ability to end a fight with one punch, he was unable to provide Golovkin with a test and that can be attributed to the systematic fight plan that Golovkin implemented.

In terms of what is next for Gennady Golovkin, this observer believes the most logical option would be for him to face the winner of the upcoming WBC Middleweight world championship fight between Miguel Cotto and Saul Alvarez. Although Golovkin will likely have to fulfill obligations with regard to meeting mandatory challengers as determined by the WBA, IBO, and IBF in the near future, he has earned the opportunity to show what he can do against a fighter who is considered a superstar in the sport. No matter who wins between Cotto and Alvarez in November, both fighters are superstars and certainly fit the criteria of a fighter who can theoretically test Golovkin.

After fifteen successful title defenses, twenty-one consecutive knockouts, and as he continues to systematically clean out the Middleweight division much in the same way as Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Bernard Hopkins did before him as dominant world champions, it is time for this dominant world champion Gennady Golovkin to face a marquee star of the sport. Whether or not Golovkin will get the opportunity he has earned remains to be seen.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

Golovkin-Lemieux Preview

Over the course of the last couple of years one of the most consistent stories throughout the sport of Boxing has been the rise and knockout streak of undefeated WBA/IBO Middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin. In his last fight, Golovkin successfully defended his title for the fourteenth time in May of this year scoring a sixth round stoppage of the very “Game” Willie Monroe Jr.

The victory over Monroe also extended Golovkin’s knockout streak to twenty and was the champion’s thirtieth career knockout in thirty-three professional fights. It has become customary both before and after each Golovkin title defense for readers to hear this observer continue to ask the question of who can give the champion a significant test.

Perhaps the question will finally be answered on Saturday night when Golovkin attempts to continue to unify the Middleweight division when he takes on recently crowned IBF world champion David Lemieux at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY. When this fight was first announced in July there was an instant feeling of anticipation.

Not only will Golovkin attempt to continue his march towards the all-time record for consecutive Middleweight world championship defenses of twenty set by Bernard Hopkins, but his fifteenth title defense will come against arguably the biggest threat to him in the division in terms of knockout power. In David Lemieux Golovkin will face a fighter who has won thirty-four of thirty-six professional fights and who has scored knockouts in thirty-one of those thirty-four career wins registering a career knockout percentage of 86%.

In his last fight in June, Lemieux won the vacant IBF world championship with a dominant twelve round unanimous decision over former world champion Hassan N’Dam. Lemieux will enter into this fight having scored knockouts in three of his last four bouts.

Stylistically, this fight has action written all over it. Both fighters are extremely aggressive and can knock out an opponent with either hand. Both fighters are more than willing to take a punch in order to land a punch. In thinking of how this fight might go this observer automatically started to have thoughts of the legendary battle between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns from April 1985. A battle that was simply known as “The Fight.” 

The bout had much anticipation leading up to it due in large part to both fighters ability to score knockouts and each having aggressive styles. What happened when Hagler and Hearns squared off can best be described as simply “A War.”

For three rounds Hagler and Hearns engaged in one of the most violent fights in Boxing history. Although a bloody Hagler would eventually emerge victorious scoring a knockout of Hearns, the battle elevated both fighters to legendary status and both are rightfully regarded today as all-time greats of the sport.

Even though it is hard to envision two fighters equaling the intensity and violence of Hagler-Hearns, when you put two aggressive fighters against each other one with a career knockout percentage of 91% in Golovkin and the other with a career knockout percentage of 86% in Lemieux, it is hard not to get excited.

The anticipation of this fight as well as Golovkin’s status in the sport can be demonstrated by the fact that for the first time since becoming a breakout star in the sport, a Gennady Golovkin fight will headline a pay-per-view broadcast done by HBO Pay-Per-View. Although there have been several times over the years where a Cable/Satellite pay-per-view Boxing card has in one way or another failed to live up to the anticipation that preceded it and have left a bad taste in the mouths of consumers who are more often than not asked to pay an expensive fee to see the card, this is one instance where consumers are likely to be satisfied no matter what happens in this fight.

In the opinion of this observer this is a true “Fight Fans“ kind of fight. The type of fight that should be associated with the concept of “Pay-Per-View.” 

In terms of how each fighter might approach this fight, it would not surprise me to see a somewhat tactical battle initially. After all, both fighters are well aware of what the other can do and are aware that they both can end a fight with one punch. The key to this fight in my eyes may simply come down to who is able to land the first significant punch.

Although as this observer has often said over the years “Anything can happen at any given time in the sport of Boxing and that is what makes the sport great”, It is hard not to expect a battle to break out at some point in this fight regardless of how respectful the fighters might be of each other’s power. Even though this observer is not one who likes to give solid predictions, it is hard not to expect an exciting battle for however long this fight lasts.

Whether or not this fight will eventually be part of the discussion along with Hagler-Hearns and other great battles that are considered classics remains to be seen. In this observer’s eyes however, the ingredients are there. Two knockout artists being pitted against each other in one of Boxing’s most historic venues with the unified World Middleweight championship at stake.

The Boxing world now turns it’s attention to Madison Square Garden to see what could be a historic battle that may ultimately benefit both fighters regardless of the outcome. We will see who emerges victorious Saturday night.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Golovkin vs. Lemieux takes place, Saturday, October 17th at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY. The card will be televised on a pay-per-view basis in the United States and Canada by HBO Pay-Per-View for $59.95 HD/$49.95 SD. Contact your local cable/satellite provider for ordering information. In the UK and Ireland the card will be televised by BoxNation. Check local listings.

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

Premier Boxing Champions 10/13/2015 Results

Undefeated Heavyweight prospect Gerald Washington was put to the test in fighting to a hard-fought ten round draw against contender and knockout artist Amir Mansour on Tuesday night at the Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton, WA. The early rounds of this fight were dictated by Washington’s ability to control the pace, use lateral movement, and have occasional success in landing his right hand as he attempted to keep Mansour at distance.

As the fight progressed into the middle rounds Mansour was able to use his aggression to gradually close the distance between himself and Washington. It was during this period of the fight that Mansour was able to let his hands go in close and put Washington on the defensive. Entering the final three rounds of this fight the tempo clearly had shifted in Mansour’s favor.

Mansour’s aggression along with effective offense to the body and head of Washington became the story in the second half of the fight. At the end of the ten round bout the official scoring was as follows. Judge Adelaide Byrd scored the contest 97-93 in favor of Washington. Judge Steve Morrow scored the fight 96-94 in favor of Mansour. The third and deciding Judge Pat Russell scored the fight even 95-95 resulting in a split decision draw.

Unofficially, I scored this fight 6-4 in rounds or 96-94 in points for Mansour. Although the pace of the fight was dictated by Washington in the early rounds, it was Mansour who was able to gradually take control of the fight particularly in the middle and late rounds. One thing that was noticeably absent as this fight progressed was Washington’s ability to control distance with his jab. Mansour was not only able to be aggressive, but he was more importantly able to be effective with his aggression as the fight progressed and that was the basis for my scoring.

Gerald Washington advances to 16-0-1, with 11 Knockouts. Amir Mansour advances to 22-1-1, with 16 Knockouts.

Also on this card, in a Cruiserweight bout rising prospect Michael Hunter scored a fourth round knockout over Jason Douglas. Hunter scored a knockdown of Douglas with a right hand late in the second round. Hunter was able to score two more knockdowns of Douglas in the fourth round before the fight was stopped by a ringside physician at the conclusion of round four.

Michael Hunter advances to 10-0, with 7 Knockouts. Jason Douglas falls to 11-6, with 4 Knockouts.

In other bouts:

Light-Heavyweight prospect Ahmed Elbiali (13-0, with 11 Knockouts) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Mariano Hilario (12-4, with 5 Knockouts). Official scores were 78-73, and 80-71(on two scorecards) in favor of Elbiali. Hilario was deducted a point for holding in round six.

In the Cruiserweight division Leo Hall (8-0, with 7 Knockouts) scored a first round knockout over Ricardo Campillo (9-9-1, with 7 Knockouts). Official time of the stoppage was 2:01 of round one.

In the Light-Heavyweight division rising prospect Mike Gavronski (20-1-1, with 13 Knockouts) scored a second round knockout over Jimmy Campbell (11-10, with 8 Knockouts). Official time of the stoppage was 1:59 of round two.

In the Welterweight division Wale Omotoso (26-2, with 21 Knockouts) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Gilberto Sanchez Leon (33-13-2, with 13 Knockouts). Official scores were 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92 all in favor of Omotoso. 

In the Jr. Middleweight division Phil Lo Greco (27-2, with 15 Knockouts) scored a fifth round stoppage of Pablo Munguia (22-9, with 13 Knockouts). The fight was stopped at the conclusion of round five.

Also in the Jr. Middleweight division Javier Molina (17-1, with 8 Knockouts) scored a seventh round stoppage of Lenwood Dozier (9-9-1, with 4 Knockouts). The fight was stopped at the conclusion of round seven.

It will be interesting to see if a rematch between Gerald Washington and Amir Mansour takes place in the near future. Although the fight between the two could be best described as both “Inconclusive” and “Workmanlike”, it was still a competitive fight between one fighter who is a rising prospect and another fighter who has established himself as a contender in the Heavyweight division.

The draw between the two will probably not have a negative effect on either fighter. The outcome of this fight however, does leave more questions than answers in regard to both fighters.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

Premier Boxing Champions 10/10/2015 Weigh-In Results

The official weigh-in for tomorrow’s Premier Boxing Champions card took place earlier today in Lowell, MA. The official weights for the card are as follows.

Main Event: Welterweights – 10Rds.

Danny O’Connor 146lbs.  vs. Gabriel Bracero 146lbs.

Jr. Featherweights – 10 Rds.

Jonathan Guzman 121lbs.  vs.           Danny Aquino  121lbs.

Featherweights – 10 Rds.

Ryan  Kielczewski 125lbs.  vs.  Rafael Vazquez 126lbs.

Heavyweights – 8 Rds.

Adam Kownacki 261lbs.  vs.  Rodney Hernandez 240lbs.

Light-Heavyweights – 10Rds.

Gary O’Sullivan 172lbs.  vs.   David Toribio 174lbs.

Jr, Lightweights – 8Rds.

Patrick Hyland 128lbs.  vs.     David Martinez 128lbs.

Jr. Welterweights – 8Rds.

Stephen Ormond 139lbs. vs.  Michael Clark 140lbs.

Lightweights – 4Rds.

Titus Williams 131lbs.  vs.       Arthur Parker 134lbs.

Lightweights – 8Rds,

Fernando Saucedo 134lbs.  vs.          Carlos Fulgencio 134lbs.

Premier Boxing Champions: O’Connor vs. Bracero takes place tomorrow night (Saturday, October 10th) at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA. The card will be televised in the United States by NBC Sports Network at 8PM ET/5PMPT. Check local listings for time and channel in your area.

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison