Gennady Golovkin (R) beats up David Lemieux during their middleweight unification title fight. (Photo : Getty Images/Al Bello)
Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin has also earned different monikers apart from his initials.
He is also known as "God of War" and his camp also claims the distinction "the most feared fighter in boxing." Does that claim hold true?
Probably the most anticipated fight in boxing today is Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Golovkin to unify the middleweight division, currently the hottest division in all of boxing as the welterweights like Manny Pacquiao joins Floyd Mayweather in retirement soon.
Canelo and Golovkin have only one loss between them, and that was to Mayweather which further reinforces the anticipation. But the fight just could not happen, at least for now.
There are many boxing fans who claim that Canelo's firm stand on fighting at the catch weight of 155 lbs. instead of the middleweight standard of 160 is a sign of fear. The Mexican's camp contends that their fighter is not afraid, but has earned the right to call the shots as a champion.
"I'm not afraid of any fighter," said Alvarez, as quoted in CBS. "GGG is a great fighter ... If we do a fight, it's going to be at my weight class."
There are many ways to interpret his statement and the popular one is that it's a sign of fear. But CBS contends that it's not all Canelo's fault.
"Golovkin has previously said he would go to 155 pounds for a matchup with Floyd Mayweather, but whether he would be willing to risk that same weight drop for Alvarez is unknown."
The answer, actually, is still "No." Golovkin recently told UCN (h/t Boxing News 24).
"My weight is not heavy. I'm 164, 165 every day," said Golovkin."Middleweight is 160. It doesn't matter. Canelo wants 155; try it. I'm 160. I want unification fight against [Billy Joe] Saunders and hopefully Canelo. I want Canelo because he's a good champion. He's a big name for me. Good business, and for everybody for fans. I want big name so everybody understands who I am," said Golovkin."
It is tough to defend his stance considering he would agree to fight Mayweather under the same conditions. Golovkin is counting on his status as a mandatory challenger and it is speculated that Canelo would vacate the WBC belt just to avoid Golovkin if his conditions are not met. Boxing fans would prefer to see this cat-and-mouse game between the two middleweight champions in the ring rather than in media.
