Golovkin vs. Ward – Unstoppable Force vs. Immovable Object

By IggyChow - 10/03/2013 - Comments

ward123By Iggy Chowdhury – This is simply a fight that must happen because no one else really wants to fight either of these fighters albeit for different reasons. Below I assess the two boxers and how they would fare against each other.

Gennady Golovkin – This guy is the real deal. The way he stalks his opponent and cuts down the ring with intelligent diagonal steps is just pure ring intelligence and makes for a claustrophobic fight for whoever steps in the ring with him. Add to that his ability to punch with concussive power using either hand and a jab that feels like a straight.

Golovkin’s chin is rarely tested because his movement in and out of range is so very good that his opponents are always a few millimeters short of landing and the times when he has been caught he barely bats an eyelid. Then there is perhaps the scariest aspect of this unique boxer; his calm, ice cold, emotionless expression, it is as though he is not even in a fight but standing in line at the bank waiting, in his case waiting to land that knockout blow.

In interviews Golovkin has is softly spoken, humble and always respectful of his opponent. His lack of ego means that boxing superpowers HBO and Showtime do not take much of an interest in promoting him and other boxers simply avoid him like the plague. Facing Golovkin is a lose lose situation, no money and high probability of losing. The boxing world is very much aware that this is a truly gifted and dangerous boxer but Golovkin is in reality untested, he has yet to fight what you could call an elite level fighter but the talent is evident for anyone who knows anything about boxing.

Andre Ward – This guy is definitely a world class boxer and would trouble anyone from any era due to his awkward boxing style. A lot of people say he is boring but he fights using a safety first tactic and has out-boxed all his opponents to date.

Ward can fight at long range or in the pocket and has the second best defense on the planet (after Floyd Mayweather Jr). He is fast and strong with stamina to last very comfortably for 12 rounds. He has fought the elite and dominated against the likes of Arthur Abraham, Mikkel Kessler, Carl Froch and Chad Dawson who were all quite simply schooled. He has charisma and a swagger which only a world class athlete will exude but he faces a similar problem to Golovkin albeit for different reasons.

HBO and Showtime have no interest in Ward unless he fights another big name as on his own he cannot bring in the PPV sales. The problem is he has fought all the other big names out there and the ones that are left (Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, Sergio Martinez) will not want the fight because the money will not be worth it because they know they will most like lose. Like his style or not, there is no denying that Ward has mastered the art of hit and not be hit and is one of the most talented boxers on the planet.

Golovkin vs. Ward – The Middleweight and Super Middleweight ranks do not possess fighters who can beat either of these guys so the only option for them in all honesty is to fight each other. I know this is hopeful thinking but if the fight could happen it would be a victory for boxing. Styles make fights and very few fighters have the ability to put Ward under the type of pressure that makes it worth watching.

Golovkin is the master of closing down the ring and his power and offense against Wards ring smart and defense would make for compelling viewing. It would also provide both fighters with a genuine challenge and the fact that neither has ever suffered a defeat would mean they both have something to lose.

The Outcome – Who would win? Well you never know how a fight will turn out! It could end up being a boring fight which Ward dominates with defense and counter punching, negating the threat that Golovkin brings. It could end up being a short fight with Golovkin putting Ward under heavy pressure, closing down the ring and forcing Ward into a dog-fight eventually ending in the early rounds with a devastating KO, inflicting Ward with his first ever defeat. It could just end up going the distance and the judges robbing the better fighter on the night as so often happens these days. I end this article with a simple question: Who do you think would win?



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