The Stub Hub Center in Carson, California will host a sold-out crowd on Saturday night. HBO should see better than average viewership, 8,000 fans will show up and leave entertained, and most fans and pundits anticipate the main event to end in a knockout victory for Gennady Golovkin. All of this sounds standard for a fight featuring the most feared middleweight in the world. So, what’s the problem? The problem is this isn’t the fight the fans want. And through no fault of their own, both champion and opponent have put themselves in a difficult position.
We don’t need to spend much time describing how we got here. In case you have been living under a rock or simply don’t watch boxing, here is the abridged version….
- Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez agree to a rematch on May 5th in Las Vegas after a competitive but disputed draw in their first fight last year.
- Canelo tests positive (twice) for Clenbuterol in February, putting the rematch in jeopardy. He claims the positive test is a result of tainted meat in Mexico.
- The fight is postponed, and Canelo receives a 6-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
- Golovkin wants to stay busy, and not wanting to waste a training camp, begins a search for a new opponent.
- After much speculation, Vanes Martirosyan is selected on April 18th, with approximately 20 days’ notice before the fight.
For Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs), this is another challenge in what has become a highly successful but difficult career. Long avoided by many fighters, Golovkin easily mowed through every opponent in his path. Possessing the heaviest hands at 160lbs, a granite chin and a seeming refusal to take a step backward, Golovkin seemed primed to put any doubters to rest when he secured the September 2017 fight against Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed cash cow of boxing following the retirement of Floyd Mayweather. The fight proved to be highly entertaining and very competitive. Most thought Golovkin did enough to win the fight but accepted the draw decision in the hopes of a rematch on Cinco De Mayo.
With the rematch now tentatively scheduled in mid-September when Canelo’s suspension has been lifted, Golovkin could have relaxed this summer and waited until the fall to claim a certain 8 figure payday. He refused to wait that long. He had already been in training camp, wanted to stay active and defend his belts, and began the search for a last-minute opponent. Facing a no-win decision, Golovkin found a “Nightmare.”
Vanes Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs) has no fear, let that be known. A former US Olympian and eight-time national amateur and golden gloves champion, Martirosyan began his career with 31 consecutive victories. Known as the Nightmare due to his punching power and aggressive style, Martirosyan has twice fought for a world title and come up just short both times. In all fairness, his three defeats were all disputed decision losses to top level fighters named Lara, Charlo, and Andrade. Not a bad resume, but his reputation has proven detrimental to his career. He is difficult and awkward in the ring (ask Lara, Charlo or Andrade), he is generally affable and quiet (no trash talk), and he doesn’t bring massive money to the table. Unless he is in a mandatory position for a title shot, very few people are going to take the risk of fighting him. With only one fight in the last two years, Vanes was eager to accept this fight and move up to 160lbs for the opportunity. While eager for the fight and claiming he won’t take a single step back from GGG, Vanes must know he has never been hit as hard as he’s going to get hit on Saturday. If he can’t handle the power, this fight will be over early.
While a massive opportunity for Martirosyan, this fight does little for Golovkin other than keeping him busy and put a couple million dollars in his pocket. If he wins as expected, then critics will accuse him of fighting a smaller man who has been inactive for two years. If the fight goes the distance, then he will be derided for being old and on the downslope of his career. If he were to somehow lose, which Las Vegas currently lists as a 30-1 chance, then his championship career and that massive payday in September is dead. Credit to Golovkin for taking a risk he doesn’t have to take.
Business-wise, credit the promotional teams and HBO for making smart decisions. Moving the fight to California is brilliant, as Golovkin appeals to the Kazakh, Russian and Hispanic communities and Martirosyan will enjoy the support of the huge Armenian community in the Los Angeles area. The fight will do great numbers on HBO, Gennady will still make decent money, and Martirosyan was a bargain for a late opponent with some name recognition. HBO is banking on a quick night for Golovkin, a profitable evening for the network, and no harm done to the mega-rematch in September.
Let FV360 know what you think!