Gennady Golovkin’s (GGG) PPV debut was a spectacular display of boxing dominance where he used all of his boxing skills. GGG showed us you could break down a top fighter while not being a reckless brawler. Reckless brawler’s, as boxing fans know, usually does not correlate positively with knockouts. GGG was never a reckless brawler, although sometimes he threw defense aside (not on this night.)
Gennady’s performance last night, against fellow middleweight title holder David Lemieux, was his best to date, and, has the boxing world abuzz. GGG’s easy and fluid work, behind a howitzer like jab; distorted Lemieux’s face and crumbled his bone structure. The victory was the 21st consecutive time GGG stopped his opponent. 31 KO’s cementing a 34-0 record; when GGG fights it does correlate positively with knockouts. Although this fight was just a tad bit more special.
What was different about this performance was the attention to detail that was lacking in some of GGG’s recent fights: the art of hit and not get hit, working off the jab, keeping distance with that jab while bludgeoning your opponent with hard shots; there is nothing more aesthetically pleasing in sports than a boxer breaking down an opponent using boxing skills. The boxing world is on notice and wants more GGG.
This is not to say the fight was not without controversy. By all rights, GGG should have been disqualified in round five after hitting Lemieux while he was down. Lemieux went down from a crippling body shot and took another devastating punch from GGG while on his knees. An unnecessary punch, an illegal punch. Not many people are talking about this moment, as that what happens when the Kool Aid for a fighter is strong. Things like hitting your opponent while they are down get ignored in blatant fashion when you hold a certain importance to the establishment. It is the world we live in.
However, I like to hold those who are superior to a higher standard. The Kool Aid regarding GGG is by all means warranted, he is special. However, this should not mean he should receive special treatment, rather he should set an example others will follow. To be fair GGG often does set a good example for others and the boxing world is probably better off the foul was ignored. Does that make ignoring it right? What say you?
Bottom line is GGG dominated in a fight where he showed he can do a little boxing to go along with his bone-cracking leather. Big fights now await as the 34 year old will probably try to finish out his career with big money fights that will define his legacy. There are a lot of potential fights out there for GGG to meet this criteria, however the politics of boxing will have the final say in what we actually see.
For David Lemieux, it is back to the drawing board. He was not getting any favors form the boxing establishment last night and he did not do himself any favors with preparing for the fight. When you sacrifice your eyesight for flowing locks in such an important fight, maybe you should rethink what you are doing; I am not talking about fighting, just how you prepare for such a major moment in your life. Where your prepared in diligent fashion? The hair impeding his vision, suggests a lack of attention to crucial detail for Lemieux and his camp. If David Lemieux is a fan of moral victories, he should hang his head high knowing that GGG & his camp took the time, and paid attention to crucial detail against what they determined was a worthy opponent. GGG did not try any leading with face against such a good puncher and everyone is a lot better off for it, save for the Lemieux camp and his fans of course. .
The foul aside, GGG was perfect in his preparation and execution against a fellow champion on boxing’s biggest stage. The boxing world is excited about the endless possibilities of where GGG’s talent can take us. Such talent does not come around often and does last forever. To not take advantage of the GGG Phenomenon, while it is hitting you right in your face, would be a heinous lack of attention to crucial detail for the boxing world.
