CLEVELAND, Ohio — Danny Jacobs might have lost to Gennady Golovkin (in a so-called unanimous decision, and I gave Jacobs a close decision) in their middleweight bout last week, once again I was convinced that Triple G’s reign is aided by the type of fighters he’s faced.
Where’s the competition for Triple G if the majority of his opponents stand in front of him and don’t give him different angles? Few of them had the moxie to engage when needed or, like in several instances by Jacobs, give a boxing lesson?
This isn’t entirely the fault of Golovkin, because his handlers have been clear in managing his career. It’s about building his record to set up the huge payday with Canelo Alvarez because that’s been the same philosophy used by Golden Boy when it comes to Alvarez’s career.
Alvarez and Golovkin might fight this fall.
Now back to the case of Golovkin. Besides Jacobs, which top fighters has he defeated? I’ll wait… And if it wasn’t about fighting the same type of fighters, why didn’t or hasn’t he fought the likes of Andre Ward, Andy Lee, Chris Eubanks Jr., Erislandy Lara or Jermall Charlo?
Because it’s about playing it safe by collecting hardware instead of about achieving greatness by fighting the best. Don’t believe me? Well Triple G is now talking about fighting Billy Joe Saunders instead of a rematch against Jacobs.
A so-called champion indeed.
I wonder if Floyd Mayweather watched the fight? Instead of a circus bout against the animated Conor McGregor, who is clearly out of his league, Floyd certainly could see enough flaws in Golovkin’s game (like how he gets set to punch and deficiencies in his footwork) to come back against Triple G at 154.
We can only hope.
Ryan Martin continues to win
Ryan Martin, who fights out of Cleveland, defended his WBC Continental Americas lightweight title last weekend with an eighth-round stoppage over Bryant Cruz.
It was the opening televised fight on the Triple G-Danny Jacobs PPV card.
Martin (18-0, 10 KOs) plans to fight again this summer.
