With Gennady Gennadyveich Golovkin set to face off against Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 15, the question has to be asked: How did he get here?
“Triple G” is an otherworldly fighter, but unlike those who share that status, Golovkin’s rise to boxing prominence seemingly came from nowhere. In general, fans don’t hear about international fighters until they make noise and body opponents in the States, while blue-chip prospects and Olympians often have their careers followed and scrutinized from the opening bell of their first professional fight.
Golovkin, a native of Kazakhstan, didn’t fight in front of an American audience until his 27th professional bout, when he took on Grzegorz Proksa in Verona, N.Y.; GGG stopped Proksa in the fifth round.
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Since then, a similar trend has emerged in Golovkin’s fights: He has been pounding opponents into standing piles of ground beef.
However, in a blockbuster showdown with the sports biggest star in Canelo Alvarez, Golovkin left with a controversial draw.
The rematch against Alvarez will look to remedy the previous result and settle things between the two fighters. What was once simply a competitive fight is now a contentious feud.
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Here are the last five fights which led “GGG” to this all important showdown.
GGG vs. Vanes Martirosyan
Date: May 5, 2018
Result: Golovkin wins by second-round knockout.
Summary: You couldn’t help but to feel bad for Martirosyan. He came in on short notice and was undersized in his bout with GGG. Golovkin was upset for Alvarez failing two drug tests and costing him the biggest payday of his career and he took his anger out on Martirosyan, applying constant pressure and connecting with brutal power shots. Martirosyan had no chance and Golovkin put him out of his misery quickly to keep the Alvarez rematch alive.
GGG vs. Canelo Alvarez
Date: Sept. 15, 2017
Result: Draw
Summary: Alvarez came out strong, winning some early rounds, and closed the fight strong. Everything in the middle was essentially Gennady Golovkin, but it was a very, very close fight.
But of course, boxing is seldom without controversy, and this fight was no different: The fight went to the scorecards and resulted in a draw. 115-113 Golovkin, 114-114 all and 118-110 in favor of Canelo is how it shook out. The 118-110 scorecard was absurd, while the other two were reasonable.
GGG vs. Daniel Jacobs
Date: March 18, 2017
Result: Golovkin by unanimous decision
Summary: Golovkin was forced to go 12 rounds for the first time in his pro career when he faced Daniel Jacobs at Madison Square Garden. Jacobs came in about 10 to 15 pounds heavier than Golovkin, but he wasn’t looking for a knockout. Instead, Jacobs stuck and moved the entire fight, and it worked out for him. … kind of. Jacobs’ corner insisted that he stay patient and not to engage unnecessarily. The strategy proved effective; Jacobs boxed Golovkin for all 12 rounds and avoided big power shots and counter punches.
It was a small victory that Jacobs didn’t get knocked out and that the fight went to the scorecards. The decision was really, really close, too. Two judges scored the bout 115-112 and the other had it 114-113, proving that trying to box Golovkin isn’t the worst idea.
GGG vs. Kell Brook
Date: Sept. 10, 2016
Result: Golovkin by fifth-round TKO
Summary: Kell Brook is a brave, brave dude. The natural welterweight stepped up two weight classes to take this fight, and he put on a show. Realizing Golovkin’s pure punching power, Brook went toe-to-toe with GGG for four rounds, seemingly unafraid, much to the delight of the crowd.
Brook took the fight to Golovkin and seemed to rattle with some heavy shots. That continued until Brook’s corner threw in the towel in the fifth round. Why is this fight important? Given the fact the judges had Brook either tied with or ahead of Golovkin by a round through four, GGG is probably glad he has unrivaled power to stop fights. Golovkin broke Brook’s right orbital socket in the second round, and yet Brook continued for two more rounds. Gutsy, indeed, but it takes more than guts to step to Golovkin.
GGG vs. Dominic Wade
Date: April 23, 2016
Result: Golovkin by second-round knockout.
Summary: The fight wasn’t expected to very competitive. And it lived up to the billing of “The Big Drama Show”. Golovkin poured it on early and often, not letting Wade get too much off. Golovkin knocked Wade down three times in the second round, with the final one being the death knell. According to CompuBox stats, Golovkin landed 54 of 133 punches (41%), with most being power punches.
The win put Golovkin at 35-0 and ran his streak to 22 consecutive knockouts.
