It’s been a big year for Gennady Golovkin. He’s already fought twice and will fight again October 17 against IBF Middleweight Champion David Lemieux at Madison Square Garden. And after the “retirement” of former pound-for-pound great Floyd Mayweather, his name has shot to the top of many boxing fans’ list.
Golovkin is a marked change from Mayweather, a fighter whose skills were undeniable, but whose style often left those watching frustrated. Meanwhile, Gennady is a rough and tumble fighter who chases the knockout (30 KO’s in 33 fights) and is known for his exciting fights. If he manages to unite the middleweight belts, as is his plan, we could be witnessing the beginning of a new era in boxing, one that will be led by the quiet and unassuming Kazakh with big finishing power.
We talked to Golovkin, who currently holds the WBA, IBO and WBC middleweight belts, about his fight this weekend and what he thinks of his new position on the pound-for-pound charts. On his opponent for Saturday night, David Lemieux, he was complimentary and played up the Canadian’s knockout power.
“First of all, he’s a champion. Second, it’s a big fight on HBO and he’s strong and hungry. It’s a big step for us, not just for him or for me, but for us,” he told Uproxx Sports. “Lemieux is dangerous, hits very hard. I made a lot of changes to my camp at Big Bear, brought in a lot of guys to make sure I’d be ready. So, I’m taking this very seriously.”
For Golovkin, his focus may be on Lemieux, but it’s all part of a larger plan.
“It’s a very important fight for me, because my goal is all about the middleweight division and unifying the belt. And having big, exciting fights for my people, my fans, and my team. The more I win, the bigger the fights. When you are champion, people have to fight you. And I want to fight a lot.”
After years of being stuck calling fighters out with few responses to his challenges, Golovkin is suddenly looking much more attractive to boxers seeking out a big fight. Andre Ward recently released a video dissing Golovkin and claiming Gennady’s camp turned down a fight with him. But that’s only because Golovkin is now the WBC’s mandatory challenger to the winner of the Miguel Cotto vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez middleweight title fight on November 21.
Golovkin and his manager refused to engage on the Ward issue, and Genady seemed indifferent as to who he’d face for the WBC belt.
“I dunno, I’m not the guy to predict a fight,” he told Uproxx Sports. “For me, it’s 50/50. Two great fighters, two great champions. It doesn’t matter for me who wins. I want the best champion, I want the unification fight. I like my situation. I like my situation in the middleweight divison. There are some very exciting boxers in the division, and lots of interesting fights for the fans.”
As for the talk of Golovkin as the new pound-for-pound great? Gennady brushes it off.
“I think it’s too much for me, I don’t feel like I’m there yet. I like sports, I like boxing. I respect my opponents. I respect my team. I dunno, this talk is too much for me. Pound-for-pound? Maybe in the future. But for now, this fight with Lemieux is my first step for history, for uniting the middleweight belts. I don’t feel I have a right to say I’m best in the world. It’s just not true to me.”
Golovkin vs. Lemieux happens Saturday, October 17 and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9pm ET/6pm PT.
