Boxing
is a sport that has many stories throughout its history. These stories can at
times revolve around the dominance of a fighter throughout their career. The
history of the sport is full of stories of such fighters. Among them is the
story of Gennady Golovkin, a fighter known simply by his initials GGG.
Golovkin
reigned supreme over the 160lb. Middleweight division for several years
becoming a unified world champion and establishing a reputation as a feared
“Knockout Artist.” As has been the case for fighters who earn that
reputation/label came a problem in securing fights against fighters that are
thought of as stars in the sport. The dominance Golovkin was able to establish
eventually paid off as he faced Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in September 2017.
A
highly competitive fight that many including this observer felt Golovkin did
enough to win, ended in a disputed draw. The highly anticipated rematch in
September of last year produced similar feelings. Unlike the first encounter
however, the rematch saw Alvarez declared the winner in a disputed decision.
In
chronicling Golovkin’s career, readers became accustomed to yours truly
referencing the Middleweight championship reigns of Marvelous Marvin Hagler and
Bernard Hopkins. Two legends that each had lengthy reigns atop the division and
in the case of Hopkins, set the all-time record for consecutive Middleweight
world championship defenses with twenty defenses. If Golovkin were successful
in his rematch with Alvarez, he would have tied Hopkins’ record. In an ironic
way, Alvarez victory over Golovkin controversial as it might be depending on
one’s perspective made another parallel between Golovkin, Hagler, and Hopkins.
All
three Hagler, Hopkins’ and Golovkin each saw their respective reigns as
Middleweight world champion come to an end by way of coming out on the short
end of a disputed decision. While Hagler’s loss to Sugar Ray Leonard in April
1987 signaled the end of his career, Hopkins attempted to avenge his July 2005
loss to Jermain Taylor in December of that year, but again came up short in
another close and disputed decision loss.
While
a third encounter between Alvarez and Golovkin remains on the horizon for the
future, Golovkin will make his return to the ring on June 8th
against relative unknown, but undefeated contender Steve Rolls at Madison
Square Garden in New York City, NY. The bout, which will be televised in the
United States and several international countries around the world by digital
sports streaming network DAZN, will be fought in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight
division in what will be Golovkin’s first fight at 168lbs.
This
fight features a couple of interesting storylines. Firstly Golovkin’s return to
the ring after a near year lay-off in the first of a multi-fight agreement
between the former Middleweight world champion and DAZN after fighting most of
the last several years under the now inactive HBO Boxing banner. A surprising
twist emerged shortly after Golovkin’s signing with DAZN was announced and that
was his split with longtime trainer Abel Sanchez.
At
thirty-six years old, Golovkin will now have a new voice in his corner in the
form of former IBO world Cruiserweight champion, longtime Heavyweight contender,
and trainer Johnathon Banks. Banks, as some may recall, emerged as a respected
trainer in the sport when following the passing of Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel
Steward in 2012, he took over as the trainer of then unified Heavyweight world
champion Wladimir Klitschko.
The
main question that faces any fighter who splits from a longtime trainer and
particularly a trainer who led said fighter to great success is what can the
new trainer bring to the table that could benefit the fighter. In thinking of
this question and the scenario Golovkin now finds himself in, thoughts began to
come to mind regarding potential tactical and technical adjustments that Banks
may be able to implement into Golovkin’s arsenal.
It
is important to remember the credentials Banks has. Not only did he take over
for Emanuel Steward as a trainer for Klitschko shortly before Steward’s death,
but more importantly he also fought under Steward’s tutelage. Emanuel Steward
was and will always remain one of the best trainers the sport of Boxing has
ever known. A man who knew how to combat many styles of Boxing and had an
emphasis on technique that he taught his stable of fighters. Such a Boxing
education has benefited Banks as a trainer and despite loss of Steward,
Wladimir Klitschko was able to enjoy continued success for several more years
with Banks in his corner.
One
aspect that did work against Golovkin in his rematch with Saul Alvarez was he
did not go to the body enough throughout that fight. Despite the opinions of
many including yours truly that Golovkin won that fight as well as the first
encounter, by his not focusing a portion of his offense on Alvarez’ body one
might argue that it allowed some rounds that were thought to be close to be
scored in Alvarez’ favor. If Banks can add to what was already a dangerous
offensive arsenal and improve Golovkin’s skill set perhaps a third encounter
with Alvarez might go his way in terms of winning rounds that are deemed close
by the official judges.
Before
Golovkin can set his sights on the third fight that not only he, but most of
the Boxing world wants to see between himself and Alvarez, he must contend with
Steve Rolls. Rolls, a relative unknown outside of his native Canada, but is a
fighter that will enter this fight with an unbeaten record of 19-0, with 10 Knockouts.
Despite
being under the radar of most Boxing fans, Rolls has won both the United States
Boxing Association (USBA) Middleweight and North American Boxing Federation
(NABF) Jr. Middleweight championships in his career and fighters who are able
to win titles on a regional level are usually about to step up against world
level opposition. There is no disputing however, that this is a significant
step up in caliber of opposition for Rolls and it will be interesting to see
how he responds to not only fighting someone of Golovkin’s reputation and
stature in the sport, but also fighting in Madison Square Garden for the first
time and in a main event.
How
can Rolls find success in this fight? It is crucial in this observer’s view
that Rolls get the respect of Golovkin early in this fight. Rolls has shown
that he has the ability to get an opponent out of there if the opportunity
presents itself, but he is a boxer/puncher and must establish himself as an
elusive target and theoretically also establish the tempo of the combat in the
process.
At
his core, Gennady Golovkin is a devastating puncher with either hand, and has
shown the ability to be systematic in his approach throughout his career. Logic
suggests that Golovkin will look to take a similar approach in this fight by
looking to cut the ring off from Rolls and break him down as the bout
progresses.
There
is no dispute that the fight that has been on the collective minds of both the
public as well as those inside the sport has been what is viewed as the
eventual third encounter between Golovkin and Alvarez. While there is no doubt
that there remains unfinished business between the two and that Golovkin’s bout
against Steve Rolls is likely seen as a “Safe” way for Golovkin to test the
waters of the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division before returning to the 160lb.
Middleweight division to resume his rivalry with Alvarez, it is worth reminding
the public/reader that nothing is a sure thing in the sport of Boxing. You need
not look further than last weekend’s upset in Madison Square Garden, the same
venue where this fight will take place, where top contender Andy Ruiz, who was virtually
dismissed as a challenger to undefeated unified Heavyweight world champion
Anthony Joshua in what was thought to be a showcase for the champion in his
much anticipated U.S. debut, scored four knockdowns of the champion to
ultimately win the Heavyweight crown. Ruiz showed the public, who at times do
not understand the sport and who did not regard him highly, despite his
impressive record and status as a former world title challenger entering that
fight that you can never dismiss an opponent, especially when that opponent has
nothing to lose and everything to gain. Andy Ruiz now sits as one of two
fighters in the Heavyweight division that hold claim to the World Heavyweight
championship having seized the opportunity that was placed before him in
defeating Anthony Joshua by stoppage.
While
the circumstances of Ruiz’ getting the opportunity to fight Joshua is
completely different than the Golovkin-Rolls bout, and even though there is no
world championship on the line in this fight, if Rolls can seize the
opportunity before him in the biggest fight of his career against a star in the
sport, the opportunities that would be ahead for him could be significant. Golovkin,
who attended the Joshua-Ruiz fight has one objective. He must focus on the task
at hand and face the fighter in front of him on Saturday night. If for whatever
reason he is focused on a third encounter with Saul Alvarez and is not focused
on Steve Rolls, what may be seen as an eventual showdown between himself and
Alvarez may have a monkey wrench thrown into the equation.
As
we saw with Joshua-Ruiz, sometimes all a fighter needs is an opportunity. An opportunity
to face a fighter held in a higher regard and if said fighter can take
advantage, an opportunity to turn a division upside down and generate significant
buzz within the Boxing world. One upset has already occurred. We will see if
Steve Rolls can create another memorable moment in “The Mecca of Boxing”
Madison Square Garden.
“And
That’s The Boxing Truth.”
Golovkin
vs. Rolls takes place Saturday, June 8th at Madison Square Garden in
New York City, NY. The fight as well as it’s full undercard can be seen in the
United States and several international countries on digital sports streaming
network DAZN beginning at 7PM ET/4PM PT (U.S. Time) For more information about DAZN, schedules,
list of available streaming devices, availability around the world, and to
subscribe, please visit: www.DAZN.com.
Check your local listings internationally.
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