By: Sean Crose
Gennady Golovkin, one time middleweight terror and nonetheless world titlist, gave up his IBF championship strap yesterday earlier than having to meet his requirement to tackle obligatory challenger Esquiva Falcao. Then, earlier than the day was by way of, Golovkin was ordered to defend his WBA world title by going through off in opposition to fellow growing old notable Erislandy Lara. What a battle this is able to have been a decade in the past, when Golovkin was a machine set on destruction and Lara a hoop whiz whose boxing abilities have been second to none. Still, if we’re being trustworthy right here, that is STILL an excellent battle, ought to it really go down.
Now in his forties and having misplaced the ultimate match of his trilogy with Canelo Alvarez, Golovkin is clearly waiting for a life with out boxing. He can choose and select who he needs to battle now, which is ironic contemplating the person as soon as couldn’t get an opponent of be aware to truly face him a decade in the past. So no, Golovkin gained’t be accused of ducking Falcao, as he’s clearly in search of probably the most profitable fights now and Falcao has but to make himself a excessive profile attraction. It appears more likely that Golovkin will comply with face Lara, although that definitely is not any assure.
Lara has by no means been a very in style fighter. Perhaps Golovkin will transfer on to a battle that can make him more cash – if such a battle is realistically on the market. He has fifteen days to return to an settlement with Lara or their ordered matchup will go to purse bid. At least Golovkin can now take consolation in the truth that he’ll now not be averted by excessive finish competitors. Aging does certainly have its advantages. Golovkin’s final battle was his defeat on the gloved arms of Canelo final September. It turned clear that evening that the (doubtless) future Hall of Famer was exhibiting some actual put on and tear.
As for Lara, the person is finest recognized for his run at 154. He had solely misplaced to Paul Williams and Canelo (in a battle that some, this writer included, felt that he ought to have gained) earlier than dropping a terrifically shut battle to Jarrett Hurd in a 2018 junior middleweight title battle. Since then he’s moved as much as middleweight and overwhelmed Thomas “Cornflake” LaManna and Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan, stopping every man throughout the distance. At 39 years of age, Lara is – like Golovkin – growing old. Yet, – like Golovkin – he’s few fighter’s simple out.
