AS though Gennady Golovkin werenโt frightening enough, on Saturday (October 17), he proved he could destroy a world champion relying predominantly on his jab.
Weโve seen his right crush Daniel Geale, his left hook to the body shatter Matthew Macklin. In his latest fight, an eight round victory over David Lemieux, Golovkin managed to inject drama into his jab. The shot stopped Lemieux, formerly the IBF middleweight champion, bringing his power punches to bear and ultimately broke down the Canadianโs resistance.
โI felt [I had] very good distance,โ Golovkin said afterwards. โEvery jab I touched. I was waiting a little bit. I wasnโt crazy attack, crazy style like street fight โ not this time. David, heโs a strong guy, heโs a good warrior.โ
His trainer, Abel Sanchez elaborated, โI see that [jab] in the gym every day. This was the best Iโve seen it in a fightโฆ The perceived threat was there so he used the jab a little better and was able to do everything off the jab. Some of the hooks he threw off the jab were powerful too.
โThe plan was to see what David was going to do. But David, he didnโt want to attack so Gennady had to press the issue. But the jab was magnificent today and controlled the fight.โ
For Golovkin the whole event was a personal milestone. โToday was a big day for me and Iโm very proud because I have unification fight and my first, debut pay-per-view,โ he said. โItโs a big step for the future, for my story.โ
โIโm very proud, Iโm very happy. This is a big day for me. Madison Square Garden is the mecca of boxing,โ he continued. โToday was a great atmosphere, an amazing time for me. Iโm very proud.โ
Golovkin now holds the IBF and WBA middleweight titles. He restated his plan to unify all the belts. On November 21 Miguel Cotto and Saul Alvarez fight for the WBC crown and December 19 Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders contest the WBO belt. โWhoever wins,โ he warned. โIโm ready.โ
The Cotto-Canelo victor is “not my dream fight”. “My goal is all the belts,” he said simply. “This is my plan A.”