Gennady Golovkin: ‘If Mayweather went into the UFC it would be a different story’

Gennady Golovkin

HE may have the biggest fight of his life looming on September 15, the Canelo Alvarez rematch, but Gennady Golovkin has been on something of a good will tour. He appeared at the start of the World Cup and took in the latest UFC event.

Speaking to the media there, he mused on Conor McGregorโ€™s foray into boxing, when he fought Floyd Mayweather last year.

โ€œEverybody likes him,โ€ Golovkin said of McGregor. โ€œHeโ€™s a very good athlete, heโ€™s a professional athlete. Heโ€™s a very good fighter. I remember last fight with Floyd. This guy he goes into boxing, seriously this is difficult for him and he looks good. If Mayweather went into UFC โ€“ different story.โ€

Golovkinโ€™s attention of course is on the upcoming fight with his Mexican rival. โ€œIโ€™m very excited, a lot of people want to watch this second fight. I had good experience from the first fight. Right now I will change my performance a little bit. I know what I need for the second fight. Right now we have a different situation, completely different. Different emotions, different business deal, everything,โ€ he said. โ€œDifferent respect with him. For him, itโ€™s not good for my sideโ€ฆ Different mentality.

โ€œNot respect, weโ€™re both professional athletes. This is fight.โ€

Golovkin hopes that Alvarez will stand and trade in the rematch. โ€œI believe heโ€™s talked too much [about fighting differently], if he fights like that, itโ€™s good for fans,โ€ he said. โ€œRight now Iโ€™m very happy because I have a fight September 15โ€ฆ Itโ€™s huge for us.

โ€œFirst of all this is the biggest fight in boxing. Iโ€™m very excited for this fight.โ€

gennady golovkin

He himself promises to be more clinical and expects a fair decision from the judges, after their first fight was controversially ruled a draw. โ€œI believe this time more professional. More professional from judges. More professional for us,โ€ he said.

But even Golovkin hinted at an element of doubt. โ€œNobody knows, this is boxing. Everybody has chance and nobody knows who will win,โ€ he said. โ€œRight now itโ€™s a very interesting and very dangerous question for us.โ€

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