Official Presser for May 16 Showdown

Mark the date of May 16 in your boxing calendar now as KO king Gennady “GGG” Golovkin faces challenger and ESPN Boxcino winner Willie Monroe Jr. at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The two middleweights met in Los Angeles on Tuesday to official announce this WBC, WBA and IBO defense for the power punching Golovkin.

Forum Boxing is back again and that’s great news for fight fans. I’ve always loved this venue known for its famed concerts and, of course, being the home of the legendary Los Angeles Lakers (before they relocated to the Staples Center). The Forum is a rich, storied building with myriad championship fights having been fought inside the columns of this circular arena. And now championship boxing is back come May 16.

The presser at The Forum did not reveal any trash talking between the camps but a promise that there will be fireworks in the ring during this bout that will air live on HBO World Championship Boxing. Tickets for “Pound For Pound” went on sale on Tuesday, March 17 and the fans are snatching up tickets to see the powerhouse in action.

When I arrived at the press conference I noticed a long line already forming as the fans have embraced the Kazakhstan slugger known for his aggressive “Mexican-style” wars. “GGG” remains one of the most liked fighters in the game. Inside the ring pure beast but outside the ropes he is a nice, humble guy always approachable by both media and fans alike. While always smiling with that choirboy look, opponents learn all too well the power he unleashed when it’s fight time. And that brutal KO power is what his growing legion of fans love about this middleweight belt holder.

While I was walking into the news conference, I noticed Gennady being swallowed up by a group of excited fans waiting to get his signature outside of the Forum Club. And after the speeches and face-off were completed on stage, the first 100 fans who bought tickets for the May 16 bouts got the chance for a meet-and-greet photo op later in the day. In a world where boxing superstars count their millions and are surrounded by entourages, Golovkin is refreshing in his demeanor as a non-cocky champ who does his talking in the ring.

Gennady’s English skills have really improved and his camp says GGG and his family have made the move to California about three weeks ago. Training in Big Bear with Abel Sanchez, Golovkin remains on his trajectory in global superstardom. His KO streak and knockout ratio during his career has earned him plenty of attention and recognition. While everyone would love to see him face Miguel Cotto and/or elite competition in the future, for now he will take on southpaw Willie Monroe Jr. (great nephew of Willie “The Worm” Monroe) hailing from New York. Monroe Jr. claimed a victory in January over Brian Vera but critics say he only has six knockouts on his ledger and is not ready for GGG. Willie “The Mongoose” Monroe will need to rely on his boxing skills if he has any chance to go the distance with the battering ram Golovkin who has 29 KOs logged in.

On May 16, Gennady’s makes his 14th defense of his title; on February 21 he scored his 19th straight knockout when he beat Martin Murray in Monte Carlo. When the Kazakh fighter headlined at the Stubhub Center in Carson, standing room tickets had to be added to accommodate the crowd.

Now the crowd pleaser will step back in the ring on May 16. Ithaca’s Willie Monroe Jr. hopes to be the one to thwart GGG’s streak and shock the boxing world. How long will Golovkin’s reign last?

The middleweight champ (32-0, 19 KOs) has been a draw on HBO since 2012 and May 16 and the 32-year-old has stayed busy–and unbeaten–since turning pro in May 2006. Now six years later, Gennady is the one “no one wants to fight.” But the lefty Monroe Jr. (19-1, 6 KOs) and his trainer Tony Morgan say they are up to the task put in front of them. Morgan is known for his work with Andre Berto and at the microphone, Team Monroe stated that their fighter does not dodge or duck anyone.

GGG’s trainer Abel Sanchez said he looks forward to matching wits with Tony Morgan and May 16 will be one to watch. This match is presented by K2 Promotions and GGG Promotions in association with Banner Promotions and The Forum.

Also joining the fighters and their coaches were K2 Promotions’ Tom Loeffler and Oleg Hermann, Banner Promotions’ Matt Rowland, HBO’s Peter Nelson, The Forum’s Dana Dufine, Team GGG’s cornerman Ben Lira, and the California State Athletic Commission.

“I’m just blessed and elated at this opportunity; I relish opportunities when I’m the underdog, the bespectacled Monroe said. “I’m a champion from the inside of my heart; May 16 is going down and I’m happy I got the opportunity.”

Gennady thanked everyone for their support and told his foe: “Welcome to California; welcome to May 16 to my home!”

Will the undefeated champ keep his KO streak alive? Will the challenger and ranked-contender Monroe last all 12 rounds versus the hard-hitting GGG?

Gennady Golovkin remains the big favorite in the contests and his fans will be looking for the knockout streak to continue.

Tickets: 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com and The Forum Box Office

Photos by Michele Chong