Golovkin vs. Murray: Will Martin’s size advantage help him against Gennady?

By Scott Gilfoid: Britain’s Martin Murray (29-1-1, 12 KOs) will be looking to use his size advantage to win a world title on February 21st against the guy that many boxing fans feel is the best fighter in the 160lb division in WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs).

Murray, 6’0”, has a two inch height advantage over the 5’10” Golovkin, as well as a three inch reach advantage. Murray’s size advantage is really the only thing he’s got for this fight. If he can’t impose his will on the 32-year-old Golovkin then he’s going to be out of luck.

“Martin Murray he’s a good fighter, he’s big guy, strong guy, I saw a lot of fights (of his),” Golovkin said via ESPN.com. “I think he will be one of my biggest challenges of my career, you know. I think good fight for us.”

It’s a good fight for Golovkin, the WBC interim middleweight champion, because Murray is ranked #1 by the WBC. A win over Murray will help make Golovkin as the top fighter in the middleweight division.

At the same time a victory over Murray will help Golovkin get ready to either face WBC champion Miguel Cotto or fight for the vacant WBC title if Cotto decides he’s better off vacating the WBC belt rather than defending it against the ferocious punching Golovkin.

Murray isn’t the main goal for Golovkin; he’s just someone who stands in the way of Golovkin as he moves forward with his bigger goals of seeking out important fights against Cotto, Daniel Jacobs, Andy Lee and the winner of the Hassan N’Dam vs. Felix Sturm bout. Golovkin wants to unify all the world titles at 160.

For Golovkin to do that, he’s going to need to beat Murray on February 21st. Golovkin can’t afford any slipups in this fight because a loss to Murray will get in the way of the bigger goals that Golovkin has.

Murray will be looking to use his huge size to impose his will on Golovkin. Murray has a 12 round draw against Felix Sturm and a 12 round decision loss to Sergio Martinez in a fight that many boxing fans felt that Murray should have won it. Those are definitely two bouts that Murray could have won.

“Oh, I think Miguel first because he’s WBC champion. And of course I like Chavez junior, he’s biggest family you know, biggest name, I think great fight,” said Golovkin.