By Sean Crose
Gannady “GGG” Golovkin has made it clear that he continues to want to fight Floyd Mayweather, boxing’s pound for pound king. “I think it’s a very interesting fight,” he told On The Ropes Boxing Radio, “for fans, for TV, for everybody.”
Golovkin was obviously aware of potential promotional entanglements, but appeared positive about the prospect of fighting Floyd, nonetheless. “I asked my promoter,” he said, “and he told me it’s possible.”
News flash, folks: this one ain’t gonna happen. That’s a sad thing, I know, It’s sad for GGG, and it’s sad for all of us who would love to see these two square off. Yet Floyd has made it perfectly clear that he’s not going to risk getting hurt at this point in his career. And Golovkin could possibly hurt the man.
Consider this: Manny Pacquiao has now offered to fight Mayweather for free (the proceeds would go to charity) and Mayweather STILL hasn’t bit. Does anyone really believe, then, that Mayweather will suddenly show an interest in fighting the naturally larger Kazakh punching machine that is Golovkin?
Look, Floyd may well be one of the greatest boxers ever, but he would clearly prefer to leave the sport with a whisper rather than with a bang. That’s unfortunate, but it is what it is. Fans are simply going to have to get their heads around the fact that that the man they call “Money” is now more of a risk averse businessman than he is a competitive athlete.
In brief, Mayweather simply isn’t going to let fighters like Golovkin, Pacquiao, Bradley and Erislandy Lara get their chance. Of course this is all gravely ironic to those of us who would pick Floyd to beat any of those men (at least at the moment), but no matter. Life goes on, and so does the sport of boxing.
So, while Mayweather contents himself with the Amir Khans and Danny Garcias of the world (no offense, guys) those who represent the most serious threats to the man’s dominance will have to look elsewhere for lucrative and challenging competition. For poor Golovkin, however, that will be a real problem.
Why? Because people are afraid of the guy. It’s as simple as that. What GGG may need to do is start calling people out. It’s not in his nature, sure, but a guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. Besides, the man says he’s willing to go down in weight. That leaves a world of options open.
Just imagine the coverage Golovkin would receive in the boxing media if he questioned Sergio Martinez’ courage. Or if he publicly asked Saul Alvarez if he was ready to really start challenging himself again. Or if he challenged Julio Caesar Chavez Junior to show the world just how serious about rising to the occasion he was.
While it’s true such challenges might well get Golovkin no where (especially when so many fighters have a convenient “cold war” to fall back on), they would certainly make him a much harder man to duck. Boxing fans are loyal, but they’re also demanding. Fighters can take a lot of heat if their supporters feel they’re shying away from a potential foe.
As things stand, however, Golovkin is doing the right thing at the moment – and that’s boxing. He intends to stay active this year and that’s good. If he wishes to get the money and attention he deserves, however, it may be wise for GGG to work with more than just his fists. While it’s true one’s word’s can get one in trouble, they can also help one get ahead.
Think of Adrien Broner. His words put him on the list of pound for pound best fighters. It was his lack skill in the ring that ultimately showed him up. Don’t expect a lack of anything to show up Golovkin – even if he does decide to publicly call out potential foes.
