The Borneo Post

Golovkin KOs Martirosya­n to defend middleweig­ht titles

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LOS ANGELES: Gennady Golovkin equalled the record of 20 straight world middleweig­ht title defences with a devastatin­g second-round knockout of Vanes Martirosya­n on Saturday to retain his WBA and WBC belts.

Golovkin ended the fight with a vicious series of right and left combinatio­ns that f loored the heavy underdog Martirosya­n, who appeared doomed from the outset of the hastily arranged fight at the StubHub Center.

“The first round I was just looking, because I know he is a good fighter,” the 36-year- old Golovkin said.

“The second round it was true business.”

Martirosya­n was in big trouble from the beginning of the second round as Golovkin rendered the challenger helpless by landing a right uppercut on the chin.

He followed with a few stinging jabs and then a full throttle left hook and straight right on the ropes that put Martirosya­n down for good at 1: 53 of the round.

The American tried to get up before the 10 count but slumped forward, ending up face down on the canvas. Golovkin, who is boxing’s longest-reigning current world titleholde­r, is now unbeaten in 39 fights, including 34 by knockout.

Martirosya­n was a last-minute replacemen­t fol lowing the cancellati­on of the Kazakh’s much anticipate­d rematch with Canelo Alvarez of Mexico.

The rematch was cancelled because of Alvarez’s two failed drug tests in February, followed by his suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on April 18.

Alvarez will be free to fight once his suspension ends in August.

Saturday’s event was moved from Las Vegas to south central Los Angeles and Golovkin fought for a fraction of the money he would have received for a fight against Alvarez.

The first round I was just looking, because I know he is a good fighter. The second round it was true business.

With the victory he now joins Bernard Hopkins for the division record of 20 successful title defences.

Golovkin (38- 0-1, 34 KOs) is now in line to surpass Hopkins in the fall when he hopes to finally get that rematch with Alvarez.

“I want everybody,” said Golovkin. “It doesn’t matter to me. I am still the champion .... guys come and take my belts.”

The 31-year- old Martirosya­n, who normal ly fights at light middleweig­ht, was completely outclassed as he stepped up a division to face the hard-hitting Golovkin.

“It was like being hit by a train,” Martirosya­n said.

“That is the hardest puncher I have ever faced. He surprised me with his power. He is a hell of a fighter.” — AFP

Gennady Golovkin, unified middleweig­ht title holder

 ??  ?? Vanes Martirosya­n takes a punch from Gennady Golovkin during the WBC-WBA middleweig­ht title fight at StubHub Center in Carson, California. — AFP photo
Vanes Martirosya­n takes a punch from Gennady Golovkin during the WBC-WBA middleweig­ht title fight at StubHub Center in Carson, California. — AFP photo
 ??  ?? Jason Day of Australia attempts a putt on the 15th green during the third round of the Wells Fargo Championsh­ip at Quail Hollow Club on in Charlotte, North Carolina. — AFP photo
Jason Day of Australia attempts a putt on the 15th green during the third round of the Wells Fargo Championsh­ip at Quail Hollow Club on in Charlotte, North Carolina. — AFP photo
 ??  ?? Golovkin poses with his belts after winning the fight. — AFP photo
Golovkin poses with his belts after winning the fight. — AFP photo

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