INGLEWOOD, Calif. ? Gennady Golovkin wasted no time showing Dominic Wade that if the challenger was going to shock the world, it would not be against the undefeated middleweight champion.
As the near-capacity crowd of 16,353 at The Forum chanted ?Triple G, Triple G,? Golovkin went to work early, extending his knockout streak to 22 fights, while knocking Wade down once in the first and twice in the second round en route to a second-round knockout.
Golovkin handed the overmatched challenger his first career loss.
The title defense was Golovkin?s 16th in a row, leaving him four behind Bernard Hopkins? middleweight record of 20 in a row.
Referee Jack Reiss counted Wade out at 2:37 of the second round, raising the Kazakhstani fighter?s record to 35-0 with 32 KOs. Wade fell to 18-1 (12 KOs).
?It?s not special, I feel after first round it?s very close fight,? Golovkin, who made $2 million, said with a wide grin. ?It?s my play, it?s my game. Of course everybody come to just watch my fight.?
It was obvious from the opening bell that Golovkin was going to have little trouble with Wade, the Largo, Md., fighter who had an extensive amateur background, but clearly had never fought anyone approaching the caliber of Golovkin, USA TODAY Sports/Boxing Junkie?s No. 3 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
?His power is real,? Wade, 26, said. ?More than I expected. I tried to get comfortable, but once he hits you it?s hard to be comfortable. There are one or two things I could?ve done differently, but he?s a great champion and does everything well.?
He punished Wade?s body time and time again with powerful right and left hands. All three of Golovkin?s knockdowns came on overhand rights.
He landed 54 of 133 punches (42%), to Wade?s 22 of 75.
?I?m here now and I?m here to stay. I?m not going anywhere,? Golovkin said. ?Of course, I need big name or big fight. Today not easy work, just present for my fans.?
Asked about a potential fight against Canelo Alvarez that most fans hope will happen later this year, Golovkin said, ?Give me my belt and let?s fight.?
