Every once in awhile a fighter comes along that defines
transcendent. They possess a certain
aura about them and extract an energy that can only be described as
chilling. Looking back thru the depths
of boxing history, only a few fighters come to mind. Sonny Liston possessed a bone chilling
presence… Roberto Duran pumped fear into opponents… Mike Tyson may be the most
transcendent of them all.
Gennady Golovkin (29-0, 26 KOs) already has that aura and
this comes without ever exchanging punches with a well known opponent.
In a sport that markets unforgiving brutality, such a
character would usually be a promoter’s dream.
When looking at the aforementioned fighter’s careers, their aura worked
to their advantage and was utilized as a major marketing ploy. For Golovkin, it’s working against him.
Nobody wants to fight Gennady Golovkin. Now “nobody” is a relative term… Golovkin can
find fights, as is evident by his matchup this Saturday with Daniel Geale
(30-2, 16 KOs), which is easily his toughest opponent to date. But Golovkin is at a point in his career at
age 32, where he should be fighting the best in the world.
If he had it his way, he would be. A showdown with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was proposed
to take place in July only to fall apart due to Chavez Jr. not wanting to
extend his contract with Top Rank Promotions.
In what would have been a monumental opportunity for Golovkin to spread
his aura and transcendence to a wider audience, turned into the Kazakhstan
native fighting another little-known fighter.
All indications point to Golovkin “daring to be great”:
“Right now my focus
is 160. I’m open for everyone [who is] a big fight, a pay-per-view
fight. [Me fighting] at 168 or at 154 is
just for a pay-per-view fight. Right now
my focus is 160 and I’ll stay here [at 160] and I’m open for everybody,”
Golovkin said. – per Bill “Two
Scoops” Emes of boxingscene.com
The truth is… the aura surrounding Golovkin is truly a
byproduct of his innate ability to destroy opponents inside the squared
circle. He has a storied amateur
background. His power is
unquestioned. The man is relentless and
looks to stop at nothing. Golovkin looks
to punish you… and he never stops coming.
It’s only fitting that Iron Mike is his idol.
From the Jr. Middleweight to Super Middleweight divisions,
there are a good number of quality matches that would help propel Golovkin’s
career and more importantly showcase one of the best fighters in the world to
the masses. I highly doubt newly
rejuvenated WBC Middleweight Champion Miguel Cotto wants any part of him. Cotto’s fallen opponent Sergio Martinez sure
didn’t. It’s WAY too much risk for pound-for-pound
king Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya knows better than to put Canelo
Alvarez in the ring with such an animal.
That’s why Golovkin is subdued to fight the likes of Geale,
Sam Soliman and Peter Quillin who are game opponents, but lack the
marketability to turn Gennady Golovkin into a household name.
For the average sports fan to be unfamiliar with Gennady
“GGG” Golovkin is truly a travesty.
Sonny Liston was known and feared.
Roberto Duran is an icon. Mike
Tyson will forever be the most captivating personality in boxing history. Golovkin deserves that same opportunity. The question is… does any top-flight fighter
want to give it to him?
Follow me on
Twitter: @RLMalpica
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