Like I said, not an exceptionally busy week, but we did get a chance to see:
I picked six rounds. I wanted to pick four. Never woulda guessed a mere two. Never woulda guessed Wade not showing up in a step-up bout. Seems I forgot that GGG ain't no gate-keeper. Plus, he seems not to suffer fools via keeping a pugilist around to 'get work in.' Mea culpa, I assure ya.
Sergey Kovalev, sitting at ringside for this prizefight, saw what most expected to see. And what some very smart folks (me) thought would take a few ticks longer... namely, a complete dismantling. G shifted right through Wade's reach advantage, undeterred, but hit by, some pitter-patter firings. Lettuce not ourselves make with the pitter-patter -- Dominic Wade could not stand in the ring against Gennady Golovkin. Although it bears mentioning that Wade caught G with a stiffer zetz coming in, than was the counter which dropped him in the opening round.
In the bout's second and final round, we saw Wade's inexperience leading him to improper pacing. He could have held. He might even have been able to keep Golovkin at bay -- but did not. Perhaps a more seasoned version of Mr. Wade could have extended to the fourth, fifth, or even sixth ding of the bell. But, too, he'd have possibly needed some more sting in his leather. Nevertheless, a one-two dropped Wade again -- then it took just a singular two to finish off the fisticuffs festivities. I shall now digress and second what it was Mr. Kellerman stated so succinctly and so obviously so.
Golovkin is now thirty-four years of age. He is no longer to be considered a pugilistic spring chicken (although he's not once been plucked, so to speak). So what is next for the fella? What of his legacy? Mr. Kovalev's appearance at ringside is of course intriguing. However, I personally don't feel it mandated that Golovkin should move up in weight for better opponents. I feel it is enough to 'simply' rule one's own division. This is why while the comparison of champions across eras is fun stuffs, it's nigh impossible of a riddle to solve. Each great in each division in each era -- has differing levels of opposition. I'd like Golovkin to rule this now's Middleweights. Shan't that be enough, gentlepersons?
As to a potential moving up to Light Heavyweight. Kovalev tags GGG once coming in: lights, they go out. Remember, G is a counter-puncher... Wade even tagged him... Kovalev's nom de ring is "Krusher..." 'nuff. As to the always wished for Canelo v Golovkin for a unified MW strap: well, that'd be something of a stepping up into the next weight class, too. Alvarez would enter at 175*, easy. And would be all the more heavy for his trainers to carry out. THAT is the fight which needs to occur. Give Mr. Golovkin his reign, I say. We already know G concurs.
*Bearing in mind Wade tipped the scales at that mark. Also bear that Canelo/Wade is comparing apples/bruised apples.
KOVALEV VS WARD: SIGNED
You gotta kinda worry about anyone stepping into the ring against The Krusher. Especially if they're stepping in with ring rust, especially especially -- of the chronic variety, a la a famously semi-in/active Ward.Dan Rafael tweeted out on April 23rd that "Kathy Duva says again the Kovalev-Ward contracts are signed for fall. She says it's best fight that can be made in #boxing." Yes gentlepersons, this is what passes as journalism these days. Also: I have a blog. Too: an opinion. A couple/few of 'em, really --
Firstly being that the best fight for boxing is the aforementioned allowing Golovkin to take Canelo out. Secondly and mayhaps extending to thirdly; let's look at Kovalev/Ward. The fight is apparently contingent upon both pugilists, and their records, remaining intact. Neither Sergey Kovalev (his next fight being set for July 11 vs Isaac Chilemba) nor Andre Ward should find much issue in meeting that criteria. Although if Ward does so via simple inactivity -- again -- it'll be a quick night's work for Kov. Either way, humsover, I don't see how Ward wins. I can see how he survives, maybe. Although he ain't no B-Hop... insofar as mindset or shoulder-roll.
G-d bless the Light Heavyweight division. This fight will be as entertaining as -- analogies continue to not exactly be my forte, gentlepersons.
CANELO VS GGG
Lemme put a finer point on what I've previously touched on. Are we looking at a sad replay of Mayweather/Pacquiao fighting past the fight's expiration date? That's a query which has already begun being bandied about. To answer in briefest of terms: nah. Money v Pac-man taking so dreadfully long to bear by then dried fruit was the exception and not the rule. To answer in a tick longer form and with greater reason given, Mexican fight fans would be more than willing to quit their support of their red-headed brethren lest he fight. Alvarez is as keenly aware of this as he is familiar with a myriad of fast-food menus. That was a decent enough analogy, I s'pose.Mark my words: CANELO vs GGG - CINCO DE MAYO 2017.
That's the sixth-round KO I foresaw for Golovkin. Except it happens in the eighth.
CHOCOLATITO UD OVER McWILLIAMS ARROYO
Ramon "Chocolatito" Gonzalez saw his ten knock-out streak come to an end in the GGG under-card. Still, it was via a shut-out scorecard domination of Arroyo. A Clinictito! Maybe? Yeah, I don't like it either. But ya gotta like Mr. Gonzalez. Always a blast to watch, he, the Flyweight world king, pound-for-pound champ, and mayhaps most technically correct boxer in the sport today.Interesting to notelatito (yeah, no) is that Chocolatito weighed in the day of the fight at an unofficial 126 pounds.
A final word: Hats off to Mr. Arroyo for hanging in there. It took gutsatito. I need to stop doing that.
Goodnight, Samuel Horwitz. Wherever you are.
