Gennadiy Golovkin Challenges Ryota Murata in Japan This Saturday

[LondonRingRules]

--- IBF/WBA title unification this Saturday, 4/9

https://boxrec.com/en/event/850331/2806523

 

Golovkin 40 years old and Murata 36 both defending their belts while challenging for the other in the backdrop of the JBC, Japan Boxing Commission having declared bankruptcy makes this a very unusual fight.

 

Prob Golovkin the favorite, but Murata very tough and underrated may well stretch whatever he has left. If Golovkin wins, supposedly he fights Canelo for his 168 belts that sounds like a losing proposition, but hey, it's boxing and us poor fans are just happy to be coming out of The Great Corona Panic from 2020.

[Ledhed1]

GGG out 15 months but Murata out 27 months! Murata's come up small before, though he did avenge both losses. He doesn't get that chance here as a GGG win gets him a third fight with Canelo (assuming Canelo comes through Bivol which is no sure thing but that's for another thread). I think GGG's layoff does him some good at his age - as does the carrot of the trilogy fight - while Murata's layoff is ridiculously long and too much to overcome. GGG does his part to set up Canelo III. Edited April 4, 2022 by Ledhed1

[Cableaddict]

I don't think I've ever seen Murata fight - But dropping a wide UD to Rob Brandt doesn't sound good.

 

Golovkin is clearly past it, but he has a style that ages better than most, since he never expends a lot of energy. He's the obvious betting favorite, by a long shot.

 

Murata will likely become a "Good Boi."

[WelshDevilRob]

Feels like GGG has been gone forever. He's slowed and Murata has a real chance. Power should still work for 'Triple G'.

[LondonRingRules]

*****SPOILERS*****

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--- Had Murata 3 out of first three rounds before DAZN blinked out. Fightnews said he won the first 5, but main thing Golovkin looked really old in there in spite of being far more ripped than ever before.

 

Messing around I saw portions of the next rounds including the KO that might have been OK in a regular venue, but I don't recall any Japanese fighter getting the towel thrown by his corner before.

 

Anyway, fans seem to be pleased, but clearly the end is near of Golovkin. Dunno about Canelo. Seems Eddie and Golovkin the only ones wanting that fight.

 

https://fightnews.com/ggg-unifies-wba-ibf-titles-canelo-next/130350

[Ledhed1]

This version of GGG doesn't stand a chance vs Canelo. Murata was very good and had a sound plan from the start. I think his jaw was damaged from the punch that dislodged his mouthpiece. His team knew it, and when Murata took that last right hand, they pulled him out.

[Bear Hugger]

This version of GGG doesn't stand a chance vs Canelo.

 

Agreed. He had ring rust and was getting hit a lot. I know GGG has an iron chin, but if he takes a few to the body from Canelo, well... who knows?

 

 

[WelshDevilRob]

Was a real fight for the first 5 rounds. Impressed with how Murata took it to GGG and impressed by Golovkin's willingness to trade. Both displayed solid chins. Golovkin looked older and slower, didn't like it to the body early on. Murata was never going to be an easy fight and he certainly wasn't for the 40-year-old.

The Golovkin shot that smashed Murata's mouthpiece out, really seemed to change the direction of the fight.

 

Great fight. Golovkin overcame a spirited challenge.