Gennady Golovkin has 42 wins from 45 fights, losing just twice and drawing once.
All three of those results were against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in one of modern boxing’s most elite and controversial trilogies. Despite outlanding the Mexican in ten of the 12 rounds when they first met in 2017, the fight was called a split draw including a particularly wide card for Alvarez.
Fans and analysts again felt he was hard done by a year later in the rematch, with Canelo winning a majority decision that time around. The third fight was a clear Canelo win – Golovkin at that stage 40-years-old and moving up a weight class with only one fight in two years under his belt.
Speaking to the media before the contest, he said in no uncertain terms that his superstar rival – who was coming off the back of a light-heavyweight loss to Dmitry Bivol – is not the best opponent he has shared the ring with, instead looking back to his amateur days.
“I’ve had champions as my opponents, I’ve had mandatory challengers. I wouldn’t say Canelo is the best. He’s a top opponent, of course. He’s a very difficult opponent, but as you can see he loses…”
“I’m talking about the number of amateur boxers in my amateur career who did not turn professional. Their boxing skills and strategy in boxing was paramount. It took them like three rounds to figure you out and fight the strategy against you that leaves you no chance to win.”
Though ‘GGG’ did not name one particular fight, with a 345-5 record he has plenty to choose from. He had early meetings with the likes of Lucian Bute, Matt Korobov, and Andy Lee who all turned pro.
Fans may look to the likes of Gaydarbek Gaydarbekov, the standout Russian who defeated Golovkin in the 2004 Olympics before going on the win Gold. Now 48, he never turned over to the paid ranks.
Golovkin has not fought since that trilogy loss to Canelo back in 2022, with rumours of a return making way for a general feeling that he is now in retirement. He remains involved in the amateur side of the sport.
