‘It was like being hit by a train’
GENNADY Golovkin equalled the record of 20 straight world middleweight title defences with a second-round knockout of Vanes Martirosyan to retain his WBA and WBC belts on Saturday.
Golovkin, of Kazakhstan, ended the fight with a vicious series of right and left combinations that floored underdog Martirosyan, who appeared doomed from the outset of the hastily arranged fight at the StubHub Centre in Carson, California.
Martirosyan was in big trouble from the beginning of the second round when 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 downed Martirosyan.
The American tried to get up before the 10 count but slumped forward, ending up face down on the canvas.
Golovkin, boxing’s longestreigning current world titleholder, is now unbeaten in 39 fights, including 34 by knockout.
Martirosyan was a last-minute replacement following the cancellation of the Kazakh’s muchanticipated rematch with Canelo Alvarez, of Mexico.
The rematch was cancelled because Alvarez failed two drug tests in February, followed by his suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on April 18.
He 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.
Golovkin has joined Bernard Hopkins for a division record of 20 successful title defences.
Golovkin (38-0-1, 34 KOs) is in line to surpass Hopkins when he hopes to finally get that rematch against Alvarez.
“I want everybody,” Golovkin said. “It doesn’t matter. I am still the champion.”
Martirosyan, 31, normally fights at light middleweight and was outclassed against the hardhitting Golovkin.
“It was like being hit by a train,” Martirosyan said. “That is the hardest puncher I have ever faced – his power surprised me.
“He is a hell of a fighter.” – AFP