Photo by Brendan Montenegro/Round By Round Boxing
Gabriel Rivas, Contributing Writer
Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin has knocked out his past 14 opponents and he is looking for a 15th victim. Curtis Stevens recently knocked out Saul Roman, but it is not as impressive as the wins Golovkin has had over Matthew Macklin and Gabriel Rosado. Golovkin is stronger, bigger, and more experienced than Stevens. We have seen Stevens lose to lesser opponents and that is why he will probably lose to Golovkin via knockout in the later rounds.
Prediction: Golovkin
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Gennady Golovkin has been storming through the 160 Middleweight division for some time now. This Saturday, he faces one of his first big tests in a steady and strong Middleweight, Curtis Stevens. Stevens is from New York and I imagine he will have a sizable contingent of fans supporting him at MSG. Golovkin will have to be more defensively responsible than he ever has before. His reputation of being a big puncher will not intimidate Stevens because he also has that same reputation. The winner of this fight may line themselves up for a possible date with the lineal champion, Sergio Martinez. If GGG is cautious and defensively responsible and can take away Stevens’ power with big body shots and he stays on the outside with a jab and an occasional combo to the body he will further cement his standing as the Middleweight king in waiting. Stevens doesn’t have any wins on his resume that jump out at me and I don’t expect him to add Gennady Golovkin to that list. TKO in Round 9 for Golovkin.
Prediction: Golovkin
Gabe Polanco, Contributing Writer
On Saturday night, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin will put his IBO and WBA Middleweight Championship on the line against Curtis “Showtime” Stevens. Let’s be honest here, you have one man who is a silver medalist in the 2004 Athens Olympic, a multi-amateur World Champion with an amateur record of 345-5. Then we have Stevens with a record of 25 wins, 18 KOs and 3 losses. Stevens is not a world beater, he is a fringe contender at best, who used his mouth and a showcase of KO’s against cab drivers to get a title shot. He has no chance in this fight. After seeing him outclassed by Andre Dirrell and then bludgeoned by Jesse Brinkley, I cannot see it going past six rounds before Golovkin ends his night early. Golovkin KO6 over Stevens.
Prediction: Golovkin
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This fight has knockout of the year written all over it. Kathy Duva stated that this fight will be a brawl. The question is, who will take the punishment better? I have not seen Golovkin’s chin get tested yet, but I have seen Steven’s get tested, but it was in a heavier weight class. I like this fight for Stevens, he is a straight forward, no nonsense type of guy who will go in there and land that devastating punch that will put Golovkin down, and I doubt he will get back up. Stevens in five via KO.
Prediction: Stevens
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Curtis “Showtime” Stevens, formerly one half of the famed “Chin Checkers” will have a chance to enter elite status when he faces GGG. In GGG, Stevens will be facing the toughest opponent of his career. GGG is a beast and this fight should be a classic for however long it lasts. One thing we know about Stevens is he can crack and he will need to check GGG’s chin to try and gain his respect early. Golovkin–for his part–will do what he does best, which is seek and destroy. I will be very interested to see what happens if Stevens can connect with some power shots. I, like most, don’t see this fight going the distance. I think we will be treated to a barn burner, but when it’s all said and done I don’t think Stevens is as durable as Golovkin. Although Stevens has a punchers chance, I think GGG’s power and durability will carry him to a victory in a entertaining bout.
Prediction: Golovkin
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I must say I really like Gennady Golovkin and Curtis Stevens. I remember being intrigued and excited to watch “The Chin Checkers” and was disappointed when Stevens seemed to fade away (during his two years off). It’s great to see Stevens get a crack at a marquee fighter like Golovkin, who contrary to popular belief, is very experienced and has a great amateur pedigree. I think what this fight will come down to is can Stevens land a big shot and can Golovkin take that shot. Stevens always has the proverbial “punchers chance” and has a legitimate chance to win, but I’m betting that Golovkin is more than just a one-trick pony. What I mean by that is he can box as well as brawl. I’m really excited for this fight and I believe Golovkin will win by mid-round knockout.
Prediction: Golovkin
