Saturday night, Gennady Glolovkin and Martin Murray will fight for the middleweight title.
Martin Murray
Both blemishes on Martin Murray’s record have come with
controversy. The draw incurred
with Felix Sturm took place in Sturm’s home country of Germany. Many observers gave the fight to
Murray. The fight with Sergio
Martinez also took place in Argentina, the home country of Martinez. This was also a fight that quite a few
observers thought Murray won. But
for two hometown decisions, Murray may very well have an unblemished
record.
How does Murray win?
Murray has to stay off the ropes. Golovkin is an animal when he gets someone there. Murray knows the pressure Golovkin
likes to apply, so his job will be to keep Golovkin turning and keep him in the
center of the ring. It would also
be in Murray’s best interest to tie him up from time to time when he gets into
a position that is not favorable, i.e. on the ropes. He has to remember to not try to get one back every time he
gets hit, don’t get too macho – no unnecessary exchanges. Both men have excellent jabs, but
I think Murray can control the action with his. He needs to start off early and often with the jab. With this strategy, I think he can
really frustrate Golovkin and make him start doubting himself during the
fight.
Gennady Golovkin is more than just a headhunter, as his
record of knockouts indicates.
Golovkin is a very smart technical boxer with power. The kind of power that ends a fight
quickly. Golovkin has an amazing
amateur pedigree. He has faced
good opposition in the pro ranks and has not really even been tested or
challenged. Golovkin has been
compared to a middleweight version of Mike Tyson.
How does Golovkin win?
Golovkin has 18 straight knockouts coming into this
fight. He gets these knockouts by
applying intense pressure. He comes
forward constantly and sharp shoots his opponent. Any opening he gets, he will take advantage of. To beat
Murray, he will have to keep the pressure up the entire fight. He should look to cut off the ring and
put Murray on the ropes. Murray
has trouble fighting off of the ropes.
Golovkin also needs to take away Murray’s space by cutting off the ring. Murray is a tough opponent, so Golovkin
must resign himself to boxing his way and not just looking for the
knockout. Golovkin throws a
beautiful left hook to the body. I
would love to see that punch over and over in this fight.
Who will win?
Golovkin is the big favorite coming into this fight and
rightfully so. 18 straight
knockouts will typically do that for you.
Golovkin has also faced the better opposition between the two.
That being said, I think Murray may be one of the toughest
opponents Golovkin has faced in his career. Golovkin loves to pressure his opponents and walk them down.
Golovkin likes to muscle opponents, but Murray is a naturally bigger man, so it
will be interesting to see if he is going to be able to do this to Murray. Martin Murray has a way of
stalling people’s offense during the fight. The problem is that I think Golovkin is going to be too
strong and skilled for Murray. I
don’t know that Murray is going to be able to keep Golovkin off of him and I
also don’t know that Murray will be able to stay off of the ropes in this
fight. I don’t see a knockout, but I do see a clear decision for Gennady
Golovkin. I think it will be a
very tough and competitive fight.