Photo by Ismael Gallardo/RBRBoxing
On Tuesday, March 7, 2017, unified Middleweight world champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, (36-0, 33 KOs) and his team hosted an international media conference call ahead of Golovkin’s clash against Daniel “The Miracle Man” Jacobs (32-1, 29 KO’s) on Saturday, March 18 at The Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden and live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
Among the participants on the call was Golovkin’s head trainer Abel Sanchez, who discussed how preparations are going and what they expect from Jacobs on fight night.
“I think that Danny will be aggressive and that’s what we’re planning on. If he’s not, then that is okay,” said Sanchez. “I think Danny will come out and try to draw a line and say ‘you’re not going to cross it’.”
While much has been made about Golovkin’s knockout streak, Jacobs has also stopped an impressive 12 fighters in a row, including Peter Quillin in only one round.
Team Golovkin is aware of Jacobs’ power, but whether or not Golovkin will be cautious of it is totally up to him once the fight starts.
“Danny’s size is not my concern, but his punching power has been a concern,” said Sanchez. “We have a game plan and we’re going to follow the game plan. If it gets to a point where Gennady has no respect that’s something he feels in the ring himself and that’s not something that’s ever been planned. When he feels that the punching power is not to the level that it may hurt him he’s going to do what he feels he needs to do not only to please his fans, but to make a fight of it.”
Photo by Laura Wong/RBRBoxing
“Danny’s got very smart people around him and with the addition of Virgil [Hunter] they understand that they’re going to have to get Gennady’s respect,” said Sanchez. “But, I think that’s just going to make for a great fight. I think he will test the waters and use his skills.”
Boxing fans are expected to come out in droves for this exciting Middleweight clash, something that K2 Promotions’ Managing Director Tom Loeffler spoke about on the call as well.
“When you have the right matchups in boxing, the fans respond,” said Loeffler. “We’re expecting a larger crowd this time [compared to the David Lemieux fight]. We added floor seats and it’ll be the largest amount of seats for a Golovkin fight at MSG.”
Although Jacobs is a native of Brooklyn, NY, Madison Square Garden is seen as Golovkin’s home away from home, so being less of a fan favorite in his own backyard will just be one more thing that Jacobs will have to deal with.
“Madison Square Garden is my second home. It’s a great atmosphere, beautiful people and the best place in the world.”
Gennady Golovkin vs. Daniel Jacobs takes place on Saturday, March 18, 2017 live on HBO Pay-Per-View from Madison Square Garden.
