Photo by Naoki Fukada
It’s often said Mike Tyson used to throw his punches with bad intentions. Well, Gennady Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs) throws his with terrible intentions and the consequences are just plain awful for his opponents, while thrilling everyone else.
Golovkin has knocked out 18 consecutive fighters and holds the highest knockout ratio in middleweight championship history. No other current or former world champion has a higher knockout percentage.
This Saturday, Golovkin will now put his WBA world championship on the line against Britain’s Martin Murray in Monte Carlo. The fight will air live on HBO at 5:45 pm, EST.
Read on for the three keys to victory for Golovkin.
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1. Land the Jab
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Gennady Golovkin has a heavy jab and knows how to use it. His jab doesn’t just set up his power punches, they hurt and sting just the same.
It was Golovkin’s power jab which moved Gabe Rosado all around the ring when they met at Madison Square Garden in January of 2013. The jab was Golovkin’s key weapon to ward off Rosado’s attack and hurt him in return.
Golovkin’s jab bothered Matthew Macklin when they fought in June of 2013 as well. Macklin had no answer for the jab and his body language looked as if he was hit with a multi-punch combination, which allowed Golovkin to follow through with brutal punishment.
2. Go to the Body
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Gennady Golovkin has many weapons, but none have buckled more knees than the vicious body shots he delivers.
Usually the body can be a good set up for an uppercut, but Golovkin uses the uppercut to set up a crushing blow to the body as he used to destroy Macklin.
Golovkin landed a picture perfect left hook to the body in round 3 which ended the fight and added to the the legend which is Golovkin.
Golovkin showcased his body punches in his match against Curtis Stevens in his next fight as well. Stevens likes to stand in the pocket and trade, but was broken down by the body blows and ultimately the fight was stopped at the end of the eighth round.
If Golovkin is able to land his body shots cleanly it will be a brutal night for Martin Murray.
3. Cut Off the Ring
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Gennady Golvkin displays fantastic footwork which helps him trap his opponents by cutting off the ring.
Golovkin stopped Daniel Geale last July by effectively cutting off the ring and bringing the fight to him. Geale tried moving away for a minute of reprieve only to be trapped on the ropes by Golovkin who then let off a blitz of lefts and rights.
Golovkin likes to throw a lot of punches and uses his footwork to get his opponent where he wants them.
Marco Antonio Rubio had no chance to move away from Golovkin’s heat in October. Rubio was unable to run and hide because Golovkin cut off the ring and made Rubio take the punishment in the form of an overhand right which caught Rubio on the top of the skull.
Golovkin isn’t the fastest fighter, but he is always able to be in the right place and greet his opponent with power which eventually leads his opponent into a corner or the ropes where Golovkin can inflict the most damage.
