A Golovkin title defense seems less like a boxing match and more like a sadistic display of man-against-boy?
Every time middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin has donned his boxing gloves he has looked invincible. He has built a reputation as an irresistible force against whom all other fighters will eventually wither. Most experts believe that his vaunted reputation will remain undamaged when he faces off with Canadian power puncher, David Lemieux on October 17th.
A Golovkin title defense seems less like a boxing match and more like a sadistic display of man-against-boy. He has looked impressive enough that most observers have forsaken the usual reverence held for the ?Lineal? title, and are calling Golovkin the ?Real Champ? at 160 lbs. Miguel Cotto, holder of the lineal belt, is recognized as great for his past accomplishments, but also as lucky for his current status, having caught an old champion at the end of his career. Many consider him a champion in name only. Meanwhile ?Triple G?s? exploits have become must-watch events for lovers of the sport. His accomplishments are spectacular: Olympic medalist for Kazakhstan with 345 amateur wins against only 5 losses, never knocked down in a fight, highest KO percentage of any middleweight titlist in history.
Meanwhile, David Lemieux?s status within the sport, and the road he took to get there, are quite different from the former Olympian?s. Lemieux is also a titlist, but viewed by most as merely a top-ten type of opponent?less of a champion, and more like someone who happens to have a belt. His style is sometimes less than elegant, but his greatest weapon is the one that matters most in the ring: his punch.
He started his career by racking up the knockouts and wiping out opponents. He was winning fans, and getting attention. The notice was especially keen in his home town of Montreal. A dubious product is born when multiple KOs meet an excited home town crowd; it?s a double edged blade called hype.
And when Lemieux?s first loss came in 2011, the hype that had made him look so promising now made him look simply manufactured. Another loss followed and it appeared as though his career would be relegated to small club shows and undercard fights for bigger names (the boxing equivalent of the minor leagues).
But he kept at it. He reestablished his winning ways. At first he beat the kind of people he was supposed to beat. His opponents were fine, but nothing special. But in his most recent battle, Lemieux pounded his way to the biggest win of his career. He defeated Hassan N?Dam N?Jikam in a thrilling 12-round fight to earn the IBF belt.
Yet even in this dynamic victory there was reason to question Lemieux?s readiness for someone of Golovkin?s stature. He had N?Dam down early and continued to hurt him throughout the fight, yet he was unable to put him away. Credit goes to N?Dam for his resilience, but had Lemieux been more precise with his offense his evening could have been much shorter. He is at least a man who has refused to give-in after his losses, but is he able to fine-tune his abilities to make himself a truly world-class fighter? And does it matter to the fans if he is world-class. He is willing to face Golovkin while other fighters have openly stated their intention to avoid him. The truth is, a man like Lemieux has a style that people want to watch. His fights are preceded by two obvious questions: Will he smash his way to victory? Or will he crumble from his limitation? Either way, it?s a show people want to see.
But perhaps there?s reason to question Golovkin as well. This is a sport where the truth sometimes lingers below the surface. Obviously, he has appeared unbeatable so far, and there have been no glaring limitations inside the ring. But his victories, while explosive, have come against opponents whose names have outreached their r?sum?s. Kassim Ouma was long removed from his brief glory days as a top dog when Golovkin defeated him. The Polish boxer, Grezegorz Proska was supposed to be a high-level fighter, but his subsequent performances have revealed him to be ordinary. The other notable names on his record; Matthew Macklin, Daniel Geale, Willie Monroe, and Curtis Stevens, all share a similar stature: respectable, but far from great.
Golovkin?s and Lemieux?s contrary styles and different pasts have led to the storyline of inevitable greatness versus unlikely success. On October 17th there will either be more of the same, or a giant surprise. Either way, it?s a show people want to see.
