The Pre-Wrap: Golovkin Martirosyan
Glendale, (April 23 2018)- Despite the fallout of 2018’s biggest fight, Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) will move forward. Vanes Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs) took a realistic look at negotiations, accepting the fight on short notice for a crack at the top in what will be the biggest fight of his life.
The media has been full of itself since the fallout of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Declared ‘elites’ in boxing media circles speculated pure opinion in an attempt to use influence through major outlets to dissuade promoter Tom Loeffler into cancelling May 5th altogether.
“When my fight with Canelo was canceled I never stopped training. I wanted a fight on Cinco De Mayo. I stayed in Big Bear working hard with Abel hoping I would still be able to have a fight.”- Gennady Golovkin
The pen may be mightier than the sword, but Tom Loeffler doesn’t bother with a few influential opinions.
Loeffler’s job is to get his man a fight.
“Whether its against Canelo or somebody else, Gennady will fight May 5th” Loeffler said prior to the withdrawal and ultimate cancellation of Alvarez. Sticking to his guns, Loeffler kept true to his word and did his job as a promoter.
“I’ll fight Canelo again. Ask him if he wants to fight me”-Gennady Golovkin
“A good fighter stays ready, stays in shape. How many times have we heard that about an opponent falling out and a replacement getting that golden ticket to fight for a world title?” said Martirosyan who calls himself ‘The Nightmare’ to media during an event held at his home gym in Glendale, CA.
Martirosyan knows this opportunity is big and that the deck is stacked against him saying “I have been counted out before and I have shined. This is my time. Fate has reached out to me and I am ready to seize the moment. You can never plan for something like this, but you can be prepared, and that’s why I never left the gym.”
“I remember him from the 2004 Olympics. I know he is not easy. Vanes is a strong and active fighter in the ring. He is a good fighter . Vanes is a real guy. A real fighter. He is tall and strong. In 2004, I thought Vanes was the best boxer on the U.S. Olympic team.” Golovkin said of his new opponent.”
Bombarded with questions about the sports largest figure Canelo Alvarez, -Golovkin says “Canelo? Right now he is over. Do I want to have the rematch in September? We’ll see. It’s a different deal. The boxing business is crazy. I’ll fight Canelo again. Ask him if he wants to fight me.”
Martirosyan has been out of the ring since a 2016 unanimous decision loss to former Cuban 154 pound champion Erislandy Lara whom he fought to a draw in 2012. Close decision losses to rising star Jermell Charlo and Demetrius Andrade indicate Martirosyan has always been competitive in his biggest fights.
“We may not be Mexican but I guarantee you it’s going to feel like two Mexicans are going to war on Cinco De Mayo.”-Vanes Martirosyan
Despite being competitive “The Nightmare” doesn’t own a win over a top tier opponent with his biggest wins coming against Willie Nelson and former champion Ishe Smith.
The decision to bring on Martirosyan as an opponent came from lack of choice. Fight May 5th, or don’t fight.
Gary O’Sullivan could’ve made his biggest payday after talking himself into the fight but backed out after disagreeing with the money. O’Sullivan is now fighting for far less money against a lesser opponent as the co-main event to 19 year old Ryan Garcia the day before Golovkin faces Martirosyan in the same venue.
“This fight is very important for boxing. Fans should not have to miss having a fight on Cinco De Mayo. This is my gift to the sport.” said Golovkin about why the date is so important to fight on.
May 5th is an important date for the sport, twice a year the biggest fights occur.
Fans expect this.
Disrupting the schedule of September 16th and May 5th; dates that fans plan vacations around could have implications for promoters trying to extend brands or build new ones.
Loeffler got the job done.
Now the fighters have two weeks to get theirs done.
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