Should Mayweather fight Golovkin in September?

By Boxing News - 05/30/2015 - Comments

1-golovkin3 (14)By Robert “Big Moe” Elmore:
WBA champion middle weight champion Gennady Golovkin (GGG; Trip Hammer; The Tripster; Trip just a few nicknames I’ve given him), wants a big fight and he wants it right now. Golovkin also wants the crossover appeal to the American audience. This why I believe Golovkin has chosen to fight on a constant basis (3 to 4 times a year). The other reason is to sharp. But the big knock on Golovkin is that he has no big names on his resume.

Some time ago, Golovkin’s trainer, Abel Sanchez, issued a statement that GGG would fight anybody from 154 (junior middleweight) to 175 (light heavyweight), anytime and anywhere. He later added “that if the price was right” that these fight would happen. The statement got the attention of fans, media and many in the boxing community; mainly super middleweight champ Andre Ward. I took the comments as a grain of salt. The statement was to get attention and it worked.

I support my claim with the fact that Sanchez later on came back added “if the price was right”. No fighter in their right mind would fight just for any old thing unless they are new to the game and have to pay some dues first.

But Golovkin is pretty established. In fact, for the first time we saw his purse crack seven figures (1.5 million) against Willie Monroe Jr. The biggest knock on Golovkin is his resume is empty with big names. He has recently stated that he is willing to drop to 154 to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. That’s understandable. However, fans are asking, why is he willing to go down to face Floyd and not Saul “Canelo” Alvarez or move to 168 to fight Ward? Let’s examine. One, Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya, who promotes Canelo, already said that he wanted to wait two years to match Canelo against Golovkin, so that fight is out. WBO middleweight champion Miguel Cotto could possibly pay Golovkin a step aside fee to let him fight Canelo this September. Golovkin is the mandatory challenger to Cotto’s WBC belt. And should Cotto beat Daniel Geale, he would be obligated to face Golovkin. But more than likely if it came down to it, Cotto would vacate and fight Canelo. Two, out of these names, Erislandy Lara, Canelo, Ward, the Charlo Brothers (Jermell and Jermall), and Mayweather, who brings him the biggest fight, pay day, and instant crossover to a larger audience that Golovkin desires. That answer is simple.

And in another boxing blog a GGG/Marvin Hagler comparison came up. I think the comparison is unfair at least at this point in Golovkin’s career. But what can be compared is after 32 fights, what big name did Hagler have on his resume?

According to ESPN’s Sports Century, Hagler had the opportunity to leave his managers Goody and Pat Petronelli, but opted to stay. Maybe Hagler could have gotten a title shot a lot earlier had he made a move. He must have felt obligated to stay because they were his father figures. Only difference is Golovkin got a title shot a lot earlier than Hagler. If we are really honest, Hagler only has three Hall of Famers on his resume (Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, and Sugar Ray Leonard). I say give Golovkin some time. However, Golovkin picking Floyd is all too simple. Do I want this fight? I just want the proper credit to be given. If Floyd wins, Golovkin was weight drained even though he is volunteering to come down. If Golovkin wins, he beat a smaller fighter.



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