Two of the best boxers in the world fought Saturday night on two different continents. Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, 36-0 (33), L.A. scored a stoppage over IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, 36-1 (25), of Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK, in the fifth round in the UK, when Brook’s trainer threw the towel in. On the line were Golovkin’s WBC, WBA and IBO titles. It was his 23rd straight stoppage win and 17th title defense.
In the opening round in a close fight Brook shows no fear but it’s early in the fight. Golovkin is always coming forward setting up Brook. In the second round both boxers were exchanging punches making a fight out of it. Seems Brook’s lack of punching power has Golovkin willing to take one to get in three. This is the Brooks who Floyd “Money” Mayweather didn’t want to end his career with. He never held the IBF welterweight title. Good round for Brook.
In the third round Brook was feeling the power of Golovin as he showed swelling on both eyes especially the left eye. Golovkin is a terminator. No one stands there trading punches with him and in the third Brooks tried and failed. The No. 1 welterweight may have bitten off more than he can chew. Though he looked bigger than Golovkin it can’t be measured in the size of one’s heart.
In the fourth round the heavy hands of Golovkin are taking their toll. Watching him and being in there with him is a major difference. His corner wanted him to slow it down and not be so eager for a knockout. When you come forward like that you will take more punches. He is a warrior and there are no such things with “feeling out rounds” with Golovkin.
In the fifth round Golovkin starts taking it to the body and immediately goes to the head. Brook puts hands up in the air “showboating” which is like suicide against Golovkin. Brook is wiping his right eye which looks bad and taking too much punishment. His corner does the right thing throwing in the towel saving their fighter for another day.
Afterwards it was announced that Brook had a broken eye socket that will be operated on this Monday. Golovkin made his 23rd straight stoppage. He is extremely humble afterwards as always and acknowledged Brook is a welterweight. Once again he announced he wants all the belts which is the WBO belt held by Billy Joe Saunders of the UK who is probably too inexperienced and should and is playing it safe not agreeing to a match with Golovkin.
Hearing Bernard Hopkins praise Golovkin is a breath of fresh air. There are so many naysayer’s out there who continue who refuse to give the No. 1 P4P fighter in the world any credit but gave Mayweather all that credit as well as Andre Ward who both put you to sleep. Danny Jacobs who holds the WBA junior title after this writer witnessed him last night I would give Jacobs about 5 rounds with Golovkin before it end. The WBC No. 1 contender Jorge Sebastian Heiland was on the same show and you have to wonder how he ever got there. If he was given a title fight Golovkin would be as frustrated as Roy Jones, Jr. was having to fight a mandatory over such a weak opponent.
Many criticize Golovkin but refuse to put their signature on the dotted line. Even when he came into the professional ranks with a 345-5 amateur record from Kazakhstan they said he was “too old” and after a 36-0 record with 33 knockouts with 23 of them in his last 23 fights the jealous comments by people who have never been hit by the man with a punch like a heavyweight at 160.