By Greg Harris: Over the last few months, talks of a potential clash between unbeaten champions Andre Ward, and Gennady Golovkin have began to seriously heat up in the boxing world. Golovkin is the darling of HBO boxing, and considered the A-side fighter in the eyes of many boxing fans.
Golovkin is also the undefeated WBA, and the IBO middleweight champion. Andre Ward on the other hand is considered the best boxer in the world pound for pound by some, and the true A-side fighter of this fight by many boxing fans as well. He is also the undefeated WBA super middleweight champion. Obviously a fight between these two would be one of the best fights to be made for boxing in 2015. But in this day in age of prize fighting.
Making fights isn’t as easy as both fighters agreeing to fighting each other. As recently reported, Tom Loeffler of K2 promotions publicly stated that Golovkin is willing to fight Ward at a catch weight of 164 with a 50-50 split of the purse. Many feel that Golovkin being the A side of the equation is fair and just in making this stipulation on a fight with Ward. Others on the other side of the debate feel that Golovkin making those stipulations is a way of ducking the fight. The feeling is also that Ward is the A-side of this fight and Golovkin is in no position to dictate terms to Ward. Upon reviewing both sides of the argument, I’ve reached a decision on this matter myself. But before I give my answer on who I think is the A side of this fight. Allow me to explain how I came to this conclusion.
Golovkin is a middleweight terror who has been running through the division. He’s known in some circles as the most avoided boxer in the sport right now. He has a record of 33-0, 30 knockouts, and has had 14 successful title defenses with 20 of his last victories coming by way of knockout. His fights average over a million viewers on HBO each time he steps into the ring. He is slowly but surely making his name known among the casual boxing fans. Some even argue that Golovkin is a popular fighter on the international scene and that along with everything else mentioned makes him the A-side for a fight with Ward. On the other side of the coin, Ward is the last American to win an Olympic gold medal. He is undefeated as a professional and the king of the 168 pound division. He has beaten all of the top fighters in his division and was considered the number 2 pound for pound fighter in the world before his hiatus due to promotion issues. Ward returned last June to dominate Paul Smith and show the world that he is back in top forum. Which brings me to my conclusion.
Golovkin is truly a star in the making. His KO percentage and recorded title defenses speak for itself. But upon reviewing the record of Golovkin. There isn’t anyone of note on his resume of fighters he’s faced. Where as Ward cleared out the 168 division of great former champions and even some current champions. Golovkin sold 12,000 tickets in his recent fight with Willie Monroe Jr; whereas Ward sold out the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California in his comeback fight with Smith. Golovkin made his first million dollar purse in his fight with Martin Murray last February; whereas Ward has been a million dollar per fight fighter for years. But money issues aside, it comes down to risk and reward. Ward is the undefeated wba 168 pound champion who is known in boxing as the best behind Floyd Mayweather Jr. A victory over Golovkin would do nothing for the career of Ward except reestablish him as the number 2 pound for pound officially once again. However, if Golovkin were to pull off a victory over Ward, Golovkin would be catapulted to heights and fame that could only be touched by Mayweather himself. Golovkin would become the WBA super middleweight champion, and instantly become the face of boxing with the retirement of Mayweather looming. Golovkin would then truly become the man to beat, and make him the A-side fighter in negotiations with anyone he faces afterwards. Therefore, in my opinion, Ward is the true A-side. What do you think boxing fans?
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