The Winner and Why
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By unpopular opinion I was tempted to pick Willie Monroe. I really was. As a boxing enthusiast I tend to believe that in many cases, knowing the science can help overcome opponent advantages like speed and power. While I think Monroe is a great face to put in front of Gennady Golovkin, stylistically speaking, I’m not sure how smart he is either.
To challenge Golovkin he doesn’t just need to be backed up; he needs to be tested by somebody with respectable power. Why, you ask? Someone with enough pop in his punches, who also isn’t afraid to come forward, will make Golovkin reconsider his approach and second-guess himself.
I don’t see Monroe winning by knockout. His best chance is winning by decision, which would require moving around the ring for 12 rounds. Monroe’s approach will help Golovkin acquire more experience dealing with different styles in the ring, but more likely than not, Golovkin will catch him with a punch at some point during the fight.
A win by either would be a career-defining victory, though I give Golovkin the best chance of seeing this come to pass.
