Photo by Naoki Fukuda
Well, it was an exciting fight while it lasted. One hoped, however, that Rubio would have lasted a bit longer.
But if the bloodthirsty Mexican crowd of over 9,000 at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA didn’t complain tonight, then how could I?
Gennady Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs) looked indestructible as he walked through Marco Antonio Rubio (59-7-1, 51 KOs) with a second-round knockout to retain his IBO and WBA Middleweight titles and to win the interim WBC Middleweight title.
Rubio’s chin and power, which he had previously displayed against the likes of David Lemieux, was thought by some to be a helpful factor going into this fight.
What wasn’t helpful, however, was his habit of standing dangerously close to his opponents, which he made the mistake of doing tonight against Golovkin.
Rubio tried to be aggressive in round one, but left hooks and right hands by Golovkin put him on his back foot.
Then, in the second round, Golovkin increased the intensity of his offense and landed thudding hooks that could be heard around the StubHub’s homely arrangement.
Golovkin followed his attack with a powerful uppercut that sent Rubio reeling back into a fight-finishing flurry that eventually sent him to the floor.
Photo by Naoki Fukuda
Rubio would get up in time for the ten-count, but was clearly unable to continue. Referee Jack Reiss immediately put an end to the fight.
Golovkin was humble in his victory, but was also very happy.
“Of course I love this fight. Just let me try,” said Golovkin, with the bit of English he has learned since coming to America.
“Look at me, I have three belts. I want to fight everybody,” said Golovkin.
Golovkin mentioned that he is interested in fights with Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez, but stresses that the fight with Cotto is number one on his list.
As he is now the mandatory challenger for the WBC Middleweight title held by Cotto, the fight may be a possibility. But as Cotto is much smaller than Golovkin, he may seek to vacate the title and return to Junior Middleweight.
The future looks very bright for Golovkin, who made his Los Angeles debut in front of an audience he truly wanted to impress: the Mexican fan base of Southern California.
Taking his style from Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Golovkin has the tools to be a veritable star for Mexican fans.
“¡Buenas noches, amigos! ¿Cómo estas, bien? Muchas Gracias. Mexican Style. Champion. Campeón,” Golovkin said, as he concluded with a bit of Spanish.
