“Golovkin vs. Macklin” Will Ignite on June 29
In the sport of boxing, everyone loves seeing a crushing knockout. Those thudding KO shots, the unexpected one-punch demolition of a foe is what blood-thirsty fight fans sit up and take notice of. It’s the knockout power that gets everybody’s attention and right now, Gennady Golovkin is on boxing’s radar as the newest and most exciting KO artist to enter the scene.
Arguably, the two fighters that have boxing aficionados buzzing are Golovkin (known as “GGG”) and Argentinean sledgehammer Lucas Matthysse. But in the middleweight division, the one to watch is the always-smiling, fresh-faced and unbeaten Gennady Golovkin (26-0, 23 KOs), by way of Karaganda, Kazakhstan. The reigning WBA and IBO Middleweight Champion will be facing challenger Matthew “Mack the Knife” Macklin (29-4, 20 KOs) on June 29. Their HBO championship bout, promoted by K2 Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, will take place in the MGM Grand Theatre at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut.
The knockout specialist along with Team Golovkin held an intimate media luncheon Tuesday afternoon at Le Petit Greek Restaurant in Los Angeles. Flanked by trainer Abel Sanchez, K2 Promotions’ Tom Loeffler, Gennady’s twin brother Max Golovkin, and fellow fighters Ola Afolabi and Walter Sarnoi also lending support, the group talked about “GOLOVKIN vs. MACKLIN,” which will be in defense of GGG’s IBO and WBA titles. The two warriors, both 31, will go head to head in this battle scheduled for 12 rounds. But with Golovkin’s stats boasting the highest KO ratio of 88.46% of any current world champ, most do not think this one will go the distance.
With victories over Nobuhiro Ishida, Gabriel Rosado, Grzegorz Proksa, Kassim Ouma and more, the undefeated powerhouse has quickly gained steam–and the boxing world’s attention–since his first war on U.S. soil in September 2012. In the past nine months, the puncher has built an unbeatable momentum while training with Abel Sanchez at The Summit in Big Bear.
The camp plans on getting another statement win with a victory over U.K.’s Macklin. But Team GGG is not taking Matthew–or any opponent–lightly.
“We’re not underestimating Macklin,” Loeffler, K2’s Managing Director said of the challenger. “He is a warrior who’s not gonna back down.”
Training harder than ever, Gennady has been sparring with heavier opponents who can take his fire. Sparring sessions will continue through this Friday as this Kazakhstan vs. United Kingdom showdown nears.
During the round table discussion, the fighter, his trainer and promoter took on all questions about the current trajectory of Golovkin’s career, how his fan base has increased exponentially, and why they feel Gennady is the best middleweight out there.
The slugger continues to steamroll through opponents and now will face his toughest test in Macklin. This June 29 contest could further push the fighter into the elite ranks. The affable boxer is also mastering English, which is beneficial in interacting with his fans in the U.S. “When we’re in the gym, he speaks English not Russian,” trainer Sanchez tells me when I ask how Gennady learned English so fast. “He has picked it up fast!”
As far as his career as a prizefighter, Golovkin smiles when he says he’s “living his dream.” With over 350 amateur bouts under his belt, Gennady has been a pro since 2006.
But the timing is right for this “new” sheriff in town, one who’s adding a lot of knockouts to his record.
A “Star is Born”? There are no overnight successes in any business, much less the fight game. First lacing up at the tender age of 8 and a pro now for seven years, the Kazakh fighter looks to light up the ring on June 29. Sporting a big smile outside the ring, the focused fighter flips the switch when the bell rings. “I just LOVE to fight,” he shrugs. I ask him about the small mouse under his left eye. He grins. Turns out it was a head butt from sparring. He touches the red welt, saying with a smile, “It’s nothing. Just part of the business. It will be gone in two days and I’ll be sparring again!”
What sets this spark plug apart from other fighters in and around his division?
“Gennady is versatile; his defense is underrated,” Loeffler replies. “He is humble, likable and respects the sport. Outside of the ring, he has this demeanor but inside the ring he has that ‘killer instinct’ and a high skill level.”
The boxer is also willing to fight anyone. While his critics say Golovkin to date hasn’t faced the top opposition, his team says he has turned no one down–in fact, it’s the opposite. The camp explains that fighters such as Felix Sturm, Daniel Geale and Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam have managed to avoid the firing range of “GGG.”
Should Gennady add another knockout to his ledger on June 29, the sky’s the limit for this young man living his dream in the boxing ring.
I first met Golovkin (who resides in Germany) about three years ago after a fight at the Honda Center. His trainer, Abel Sanchez, wanted me to meet this amateur star and Olympian. Abel was big on this kid and was telling me they were traveling to Kazakhstan, where the native boxer would return to fight. The veteran Sanchez’s enthusiasm for this middleweight really showed and he told me big things were going to happen for Golovkin.
That’s not uncommon to hear amongst trainers who are looking to elevate their charges. But in this case, Abel’s statement has become a reality.
It is fitting that this media gathering was held just over the hill from Hollywood, where the famed “Walk of Fame” lines the boulevard. Fighting in America, Gennady Golovkin has already made his fistic dreams come true–but his team knows his talent can carry him even further.
Watch Golovkin vs. Macklin on June 29 as the gladiators will ignite inside the squared circle.
And should Triple G score another knockout, this shooting star will continue his hot streak in the boxing universe.
Photos by Michele Chong