|
GGG wants the 12 rounds experience for when he fights elite boxers; his trainer says KO is still going to happen
http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/12353606/gennady-golovkin-faces-toughest-test-martin-murray
GGG faces tough test against Murray
Making The Rounds: Golovkin-Murray Preview
While middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin searches in vain for a big-name opponent willing to step into the ring with him to face his thunderous punching power, he still understands that he can not overlook his next opponent.
England's Martin Murray may not have the level of name recognition of the fighters Golovkin would prefer to fight in his next big drama show, such as middleweight champion Miguel Cotto, former junior middleweight titleholder Canelo Alvarez, super middleweight titlist Carl Froch or former middleweight titleholder Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., but he is a vastly experienced fighter with only two debatable blemishes on his record. Both came in world title fights: a somewhat controversial decision loss to then-champion Sergio Martinez in 2013 and a draw against then-titleholder Felix Sturm in 2011.
"I've seen him. They were close fights, and he's big strong guy, smart guy," Golovkin said of Murray. "He had two times title fights. Maybe this time is his last situation. He's hungry. I think this time he is better. He understands the situation. This maybe is the last time for him , so he's more dangerous, more hungry."
Golovkin-Murray
Where: Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo
When: Feb. 21, 5:45 p.m. ET/PT
TV: HBO
Indeed, although Golovkin has feasted on several good fighters -- the best guys available at the time who were willing to fight him, such as former titleholder Daniel Geale, Marco Antonio Rubio, Curtis Stevens and Matthew Macklin -- Murray looms as perhaps his toughest test to this point. They will square off Saturday (HBO, 5:45 p.m. ET/PT with a replay at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT) at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo, where GGG will be fighting for the third time.
For many it's not so much a matter of who Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs) is fighting it, it's just that they want to see boxing's most dynamic fighter do his thing. Boxing's good boy is riding a streak of 18 consecutive knockouts and has been utterly devastating fight after fight.
His 90.3 percent knockout ratio is the second-best in boxing among active titleholders; newly crowned heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs), who has knocked out 97 percent of his foes, passed him for the top spot when he won a belt in January, although Golovkin's opposition has been far superior.
Even though all of those booming knockouts are a big part of the reason for Golovkin's growing popularity -- he was the first fighter to sell out the StubHub Center in Carson, California, for a boxing match when he crushed Rubio in two rounds in October to add an interim belt to his collection -- he said he would not at all mind going the 12-round distance, which he has never done.
"I need a decision fight," said Golovkin, who has not heard the final bell since winning an eight-round decision against the unknown Amar Amari in Denmark in 2008. "Martin Murray is the best challenger for a decision. He is strong and smart. I know everybody likes my style and they want big drama show. I need a decision fight. It's OK. Why not 12 rounds? I love big drama show but I understand my situation. People like short fight. I need long fight to prepare for . I must show the people I can do it, not just one or two rounds and, boom, knockout."
Golovkin-Murray Videos
ESPN senior boxing writer Dan Rafael discusses Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s and Manny Pacquiao's private meeting.
Abel Sanchez, Golovkin's affable trainer, said he is not opposed to a distance fight but thinks Golovkin will add to his knockout streak.
"Murray is a good fighter, and if Gennady wasn't there, he'd probably be a champion, but in the division with Gennady, he's just a guy who will get knocked out," Sanchez said. "He's No. 19 . Maybe he'll last a little longer than the last one, but he's No. 19.
"Gennady and I have had several discussions about a decision fight. I, as a coach, would like to see what I've got, if Gennady is who I think he is and a distance fight would disprove what some people say -- that he can't box or manage a 12-round fight. But if it's a short fight, that's OK, too. But I want to see if he can do it. He also wants to see if he can do it. It's something he wonders -- 'Can I go 12?' -- and, to tell you the truth, I do, too. Not that I doubt it, but I want to make sure. We train for 12 rounds, but 12 rounds in the gym is different than 12 rounds in a fight. But if it's a knockout, I will be extremely happy."
Murray said he has done his homework on Golovkin and is prepared to get over the hump and win a title in his third try. "I've been watching all his best bits," Murray said. "I've not been looking at all the things he does wrong. Let's be honest, he doesn't do a lot wrong. What I've been focusing on are all the things he does well. I've been watching him at his absolute best. That then makes me more prepared, more nervous and more on my guard.
"His power is obviously something you have to look out for. He clearly hits hard. His general ring craft is very good, as well. He's very good at putting you in places he wants to put you. I think he does all things very well. He's not just a big puncher. But we've seen a couple of and we feel there's some stuff for us to work on during the fight. We're confident it's going to work."
If all goes well for Golovkin on Saturday, he is due back in the ring May 16, probably at a location in Southern California. Again, it will be difficult for Golovkin's promoter, Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, to find a quality opponent willing to fight Golovkin.
"We'll fight the biggest name opponent willing to get in the ring with him, and we'll make concessions to get it done," Loeffler said.
Ultimately, however, Golovkin hopes one of the big names will face him before the end of the year.
"Right now for me it doesn't matter who," he said. "My first big step is Miguel Cotto. He is WBC champion. I am interim champion and my goal is to have all of the belts in middleweight division. For me it is very important to see who is No. 1 in the middleweight division. Let's see who is No. 1 in world. I want the other belts. Of course, I want big fights with Froch, Chavez, Canelo, but now I want Miguel. I hope so. I hope we can do that. First I have Martin Murray."
Said Sanchez, "We are ready for a big fight. Gennady has been ready. It's a matter of if we can get the dance partner. I don't know if Cotto will fight us. Gennady is his mandatory and I think he'll vacate before he fights him. The important thing is to keep Gennady busy. We keep him sharp and ready to fight, four times this year. That's what he wants."
ESPN.com Boxing on Twitter
Don't miss any of the latest boxing coverage from around the world. Follow us on Twitter and stay informed. Join »
Golovkin, 32, who is from Kazakhstan and recently relocated with his family from Germany to Los Angeles, will be making his 13th title defense against the 32-year-old Murray (29-1-1, 12 KOs), who is 6-foot and will have a 2-inch height advantage.
Golovkin is tied with Hall of Famer Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Felix Sturm, who avoided Golovkin for years when he was his mandatory challenger, for third place for most consecutive middleweight title defenses. He can break the tie with a win Saturday and then tie the great Carlos Monzon for second place with a 14th successful defense. The record belongs to legend Bernard Hopkins, who made 20 middleweight title defenses in a row.
"If Gennady has a record, great, but he is not worried about streaks," Sanchez said. "I talk about it more than he does. If he is able to be mentioned in the same breath with Marvin Hagler, it's humbling. I'm humbled to be training a guy mentioned in the same breath as Hagler. And Monzon next? Two great names. Hopefully, other guys will step up and fight him and everyone will see how great Gennady can be."
Golovkin also said he is humbled by being on a list with those Hall of Famers.
"My emotions -- just wow," Golovkin said. "I respect them. They are great champions. There are a lot of great champions, Leonard, Hearns, Duran. This is my dream to be a great champion. It is a big deal for me. I'm serious. So I hope I win this fight. Big present for everyone, show everyone big show. Big drama show. But I need big name. I want to show everybody that I am also a great champion."
|
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
Okay Sports
