HBO Fight Preview

Gennady Golovkin vs. Willie Monroe Jr.

 

It doesn't seem like there is a top fighter from junior middleweight to super middleweight that wants to fight Gennady Golovkin.  The usual excuse is that he doesn't bring enough money to the table so a big name fighter isn't going to risk being knocked out unless he is getting a massive payday.  So instead of facing elite opponents Golovkin has been forced to settle for anyone willing to enter the squared circle with him, this time it will be Willie Monroe Jr. who faces the heavy handed Golovkin this Saturday on HBO.  Monroe hopes to surprise some people and leave with Golovkin's WBA middleweight and WBC interim middleweight title belts. 

 

Few opponents can handle Golovkin's power

Offensively Golovkin can seemingly do it all.  The orthodox fighter from Kazakhstan has one of the stiffest jabs in the sport and he uses it very well.  Unlike many other power punchers Golvokin isn't a free-swinging aggressor.  Instead what Golovkin likes to do is slowly break opponents down.  He is a slow starter and is usually figuring things out for the first few rounds, and once he has finished that he goes about finishing his opponent.  Golovkin has a very heavy right hand but it is his left hook that is his money punch.  Golovkin can end a fight with one clean left hook, especially if it lands upstairs.  However, in recent fights he has done a nice job of attacking the body.  The question mark still surrounding Golovkin is his chin, which has yet to be tested.  He isn't a great defensive fighter and does take a lot of clean punches upstairs so when his chin does get its first test it will need to pass with flying colors.

 

While Golovkin has yet to face an elite level opponent he has beaten every fighter put in his path.  As a professional Golovkin has been unbeatable and holds a record of 32-0 with an almost unreal 29 knockouts.  While his level of opposition has been questioned he has finished quality fighters like Martin Murray, Daniel Geale, and Curtis Stevens.  Besides drain himself of a ton of weight or balloon up to heavier weight classes, there isn't much Golovkin can do to get a big fight, he just needs to keep winning and keep looking good doing so.  

 

Monroe earned his shot at the title

Monroe is also a very patient fighter, but he plies his trade from the southpaw stance.  Unlike Golovkin who is a power puncher, Monroe is a pure boxer.  He has quick hands and a nice jab to go along with a stiff straight left hand.  Monroe will also flash a nice right hook from time to time, especially from close range.  While Monroe isn't the busiest fighter, he is able to control rounds with his excellent movement and jab.  Monroe is certainly a defensive fighter so it will be interesting to see how Golovkin goes about attacking him.  

 

What many fans like about Monroe is that he earned his way to this title shot.  Monroe doesn't have a big promotional push and came up through ESPN2's Friday Night Fights.  He made a name for himself by winning the 2014 Boxcino Middleweight Tournament and followed that up by beating Brian Vera in perhaps his most impressive career victory.  As a pro Monroe only has one loss, to Darnell Boone, a journeyman fighter who also has a knockout win over Adonis Stevenson.  Monroe's career record is an impressive 19-1 but he only has 6 knockouts, so don't expect him to test Golovkin's chin.

 

Certainly this isn't the fight that most fans wanted to see, that doesn't mean however that it won't be a good one.  Both fighters are slow starters but because he lacks power Monroe will be the fighter who needs to put a few early rounds in the bank.  If Monroe can bank some early rounds and then frustrate Golovkin with his jab and defense, then fans may get an entertaining bout.  Golovkin though has looked like a machine and even if Monroe fights the fight of his life Golovkin might still be too much for him.

 

PREDICTION: Willie Monroe Jr. has never been knocked down as a pro, but after Saturday night he will have a knockout loss on his record.  Gennady Golovkin has never lost a fight and the last time he failed to score a knockout was 7 years ago.  Monroe will give a good showing of himself but Golovkin will be too much for him and stop him in the 9th round.

 

 

Roman Gonzalez vs. Edgar Sosa

 

There always seem to be a few fighters that only real boxing heads know about.  One of those fighters will be making their HBO debut on Saturday night and his name is Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez.  Gonzalez is one of the best fighters in the world, and one many fans have never seen fight.  Big time boxing fans can't wait for Gonzalez to get the exposure he so rightfully deserves and on Saturday he will take on veteran Edgar Sosa who turned pro 15 years ago.  The fight is scheduled to go 12 rounds and Gonzalez's WBC flyweight title will be on the line.

 

Gonzalez has heavy hands in a small package

Gonzalez is an orthodox fighter who has one of the most pleasing styles in all of boxing.  You wouldn't guess it from looking at his small 5 foot 3 inch frame but Gonzalez is one of the heaviest handed fighters in the sport.  He possesses a good jab and a strong right hand that he will throw straight or overhand.  However, the best punch from Gonzalez is his deadly left hook that he lands upstairs and to the body equally well.  Also, expect to see a lot of combinations from Gonzalez who loves to mix in uppercuts.  While Gonzalez isn't a defensive master who does do a tremendous job of moving just enough to avoid return fire.  While Gonzalez already has a cult following, a big win on HBO could bring him to the mainstream.

 

As  professional Gonzalez is yet to lose a fight.  He has a record of 42-0 with a ridiculous 36 knockouts, and even his toughest tests haven't put up much of a fight.  The biggest win of Gonzalez's career came against Juan Francisco Estrada and that is a fight fans would love to see again.  While there aren't a ton of great fighters in the flyweight division Gonzalez has beaten the best of them and at this point looks unstoppable.  

 

Sosa will look to pull off the upset on Saturday

As for Gonzalez's opponent, Sosa, he is also an orthodox fighter, and while he has some pop on his punches his power doesn't compare to "Chocolatito's."  Sosa has a nice solid jab and will often follow that punch up with a nice straight right hand.  Sosa also has a very good left hook in his toolbox and he loves to bang that punch to the body.  While Sosa's record may not be as impressive as his opponents he does have some nice wins on his resume.

 

Sosa's record is 51-8 with 30 knockouts, certainly not eye popping.  However, Sosa has always fought the best and does hold wins over Brian Viloria and Giovani Segura.  Also despite having lost eight times, only two have been by knockout the last of which came six years ago.  Even though Sosa has been in with some of the best Gonzalez seems to be better than even them and Sosa may be in for a tough night.  

 

It seems like to beat Gonzalez you need to either have blazing hand speed or crushing power, Sosa has neither.  While Sosa is a good fighter who isn't at the same level as Gonzalez who is ranked by Big Time Boxing as the number eight pound-for-pound fighter in the world.  This is the biggest opportunity of Gonzalez's career and one he will probably take advantage of.

 

PREDICTION: Even if Edgar Sosa looks spectacular it won't be enough to beat Roman Gonzalez.  Gonzalez is one of the best in the world and he will prove that once again on Saturday night as he wins this fight by the way of 6th round stoppage.