By Robert “Big Moe” Elmore: WBA middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin (GGG) is a cross between former middleweight champ Marvin Hagler and former junior middleweight champ Mike McCallum. McCallum was the number one challenger to Roberto Duran’s WBA belt, but was passed over by Duran for a more lucrative fight with Thomas Hearns.
McCallum eventually won the title and made 9 defenses before meeting known fighters Milton McCrory and Donald Curry. He won both by knockout. Hagler had a hard time landing a title shot until he finally received one against Vito Antoufermo. That bout ended in a draw. Hagler got another crack at the title in England when he stopped Alan Minter. The victory was short lived as Hagler was greeted with beer bottles while celebrating in the ring. But there was still something missing; that “it” fight. The “it” fight is when a fighter crosses over to mainstream and gets a big pay day at the same time. Hagler got both in his fight with Thomas Hearns. McCallum had his “it” twice fight to me and that was against James Toney. He had some big fights, but never really achieved the status of being “the man” although he would go on to have much success during his career.
Golovkin is looking for that “it” fight as a middleweight. He stated he wanted to unify the titles after his 3rd round stoppage of Daniel Geale. Well he might be waiting as WBO champ, Peter Quillin; IBF Champ Sam Soliman; and newly crowned WBC champ Miguel Cotto; don’t seem interested in giving him a shot. In my opinion he’s going to be waiting for a while if he’s looking to unify the belts. Golovkin called out Cotto. That fight will not happen. Cotto is looking for cash out fights plus he’s been through too many wars already. He won’t let Golovkin make a name off of him. Soliman and Quillin are still have some solid years left, but I don’t believe those fights will happen either. Golovkin had a big fight lined up against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, but that fell through when Chavez refused to sign a contract extension with Top Rank to get the fight (I don’t blame him). There have been suggestions that GGG travel north to the super middleweight division and face Carl Froch and more noticeably Andre Ward. The fight with Ward has been brewing for some time now.
The fans are divided when it comes to GGG fighting Ward. Ward fans believe that GGG is ducking Ward and GGG fans believe that Ward needs to realize who is the star. I can see both points of view. Ward’s resume is decorated with A plus fighters as he has gone through the super middleweight division unbeaten. The problem comes in because Ward cannot fill an arena outside of Oakland California. GGG does not have the big resume, but he is certainly bringing in the crowds. Not huge crowds, but big enough. Then there’s always possibility of Floyd fighting GGG. My honest take on this fight is that neither fighter would get credit. If GGG comes down to 154, the cries of “GGG was drained” will certainly be used as an excuse if he were to lose. And if Floyd loses, the cries of “GGG is picking on someone smaller than him” will be used.
Even though GGG’S resume isn’t the best, I give him credit for always staying prepared. Every fight is a big fight to the Russian and I don’t think he takes anyone for granted big name or not. While some perceive GGG’s opponents to be tomato cans or bums, I see them as a potential threat. If he would have lost to Curtis Stevens or Osumanu Adama, those bums would be national heroes. So where GGG goes from here is a mystery. But if he can’t get an opportunity to get that “it” fight, then he has to create one. And he certainly has the opportunity to do that.
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