Slugger Scores Knockout Against Monroe

Gennady “GGG” Golovkin remains undefeated scoring his 20th straight knockout against challenger Willie Monroe Jr. at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. on Saturday night.

In front of a lively crowd of over 12,000 fight fans, the Kazakhstan slugger (who now lives in Los Angeles) once delivered again in this convincing win over “Boxcino” champ Monroe. This Golovkin-Monroe headlining event was presented by K2 Promotions and GGG Promotions in association with Banner Promotions and the Forum.

Golovkin’s trajectory to superstar statues continues as he performed in–as he likes to call it–a “big drama show,” a present for his fans in a clash that aired live on HBO. And the 33-year-old, who trains in Big Bear with Abel Sanchez, has endeared himself to the mainstream audience by learning both Spanish and English phrases as he fights in his own “Mexican-style” of trading leather. His exciting, aggressive and power punching style has seen his popularity rise as evidenced in the Forum building that was filled to the rafters. And in the City of Angels, there are a lot of choices to choose from in a town that is soaked in sports with baseball games, hockey playoffs, NBA finals and more. At many other local pro fights, the crowd isn’t always at capacity. But as GGG continues his ascension, his fan base continues to explode. And on Saturday night, it was boxing that reigned supreme in the Southland.

GGG can now claim 33 victories with 30 by way of knockout. He was the heavily-favored fighter going into this scheduled 12-rounder versus New York’s Willie “The Mongoose” Monroe Jr. who made a name for himself in the ESPN “Boxcino” tournament. Monroe (19-2, 6 KOs) is also a WBA-NABA and WBO NABO middleweight titleholder who bravely stood toe to toe against this famed knockout artist.

Most people expected a knockout by Golovkin but it took six rounds of action before the southpaw Monroe succumbed. These six frames electrified the audience as “Triple G” delivered 59% of his power punches against the face and body of his foe. While Monroe, 28, has only scored six knockouts in his pro career, he had his moments in the fight, using his jab, quickness and slickness against the battering ram Golovkin. Monroe earned respect when he went head to head, glove to glove against this knockout artist.

But GGG cut off the ring, delivering brutal left hooks that wobbled Monroe. Gennady scored two knockdowns in the second stanza and one again in the sixth frame en route to another sizzling TKO win in front of a roaring crowd. After the early knockdowns, no one expected Monroe to continue. But the fast “The Mongoose” tried to dart of harm’s way, using his jab, tagging Golovkin in the face and doing his best to survive further punishment.

But like a beast stalking his prey, GGG prevailed. The KO king put an end to things in the sixth round as he laid heavy hands on Monroe, who once again ended up on the receiving end of a nonstop onslaught of hard punches delivered by Golovkin. Exhausted, exasperated and worn down, Monroe was dropped for a third knockdown. Upon rising from the 10-count of referee Jack Reiss, “The Mongoose” was asked by Reiss if he wanted to continue. Looking unsure and unsteady, the “Boxcino” champion conceded he was done.

And with this win in the books the unbeaten WBC, IBO and WBA middleweight champ Golovkin proves once again that he is a knockout artist to be reckoned with. And his burgeoning legions of supporters continues to grow. It’s his demeanor both in and out of the ring that has fight fans buzzing. He is a feared puncher inside the ropes and a smiling, charismatic “good boy” outside the ring. It is this duality that intrigues his fans and it his knockout power that keeps the boxing world watching.

While his critics still say he hasn’t been truly challenged yet and hasn’t faced elite opposition, GGG looks poised to hopefully take on Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez or Andre Ward in the future. Gennady says he is ready NOW not in the future and fight fans hope one of these marquee matches happens soon as well.

How long will GGG remain with his perfect record of 33-0?

Monroe did succeed in bruising Gennady’s face a bit and many onlookers say Golovkin is not as invincible as people want to believe. How would he do against the stocky, hard-hitting Canelo (who just beat James Kirkland) or against the beloved Puerto Rican star Cotto (fighting Daniel Geale on June 6)? Or even against former Olympian and super middleweight Andre Ward (who’s returning to the ring June 20)?

We will all wait to see. Team Golovkin promises to keep Gennady busy and those who will be watching him tee off in the ring will be waiting for his next match.

As I was leaving the Forum, the GGG fans were still celebrating, long after the fight had ended. Proudly hoisting their country’s flags, they chanted “GGG” over and over again as their spirited cheers echoed in the night.

And with Saturday night’s TKO win, Gennady Golovkin remains unbeaten by scoring another explosive win in his “big drama show.”