CARSON, Calif. -- Thanks to a couple of failed drug tests from Saul "Canelo" Alvarez his rematch against Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) was canceled. The failed tests and his subsequent suspension left Golovkin and his team scrambling for an opponent for May 5 and they landed on junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs). On the line will be Golovkin's WBC and WBA middleweight titles and luckily for fans this fight was moved from pay-per-view to regular HBO.
Golovkin, who goes by the nickname "GGG," fights out of the orthodox stance. He is best known for his punishing power, although his last two opponents, Daniel Jacobs and Alvarez, both made it to the final bell. Every punch Golovkin throws is dangerous, including his stiff-arm like jab. He can control fights with that jab and he does a fantastic job of cutting off the ring, attributes he really showcased against David Lemieux. It's his left hook and right hand that do the most damage though.
Golovkin's left hook can inflict serious pain upstairs or to the body and he can finish opponents with the right hand too. Defensively Golovkin isn't great, but his chin is. Because of his rock solid chin he is able to walk through punches and take two to land one of his own. A fighter with his chin, power, and understanding of what he needs to do make him a very difficult opponent to beat. While fans haven't been happy with the selection of Martirosyan as Golovkin's opponent, a highlight reel knockout could make them quick to forgive.
Martirosyan is a career junior middleweight who is moving up a division on very short notice. He fights out of the orthodox stance and actually doesn't give up any height or reach advantages to Golovkin. While fans might not be happy that he's facing Golovkin he has had a good career and was a member of the 2004 Olympic team. His best career win was against former IBF champion Ishe Smith but outside of that victory Martirosyan lacks any signature wins. What makes Martirosyan good is that he makes every fight difficult, including his bouts against Jermell Charlo, Demetrius Andrade, and Erislandy Lara, twice.
Martirosyan does everything well, if not at the elite level. He's very responsible defensively and has only been down twice in his career, never having been stopped. He works behind a nice jab and doesn't mind letting his opponent take the lead. Martirosyan likes to counter punch and while he can do some nice work with his left hook, his best punch is his right hand.
Size is going to make this a difficult fight for Martirosyan as is the fact that he's been out of the ring for nearly two years. Golovkin has spent his entire career in the middleweight division and he's more than comfortable there. Martirosyan isn't just moving up a division for this fight, he's moving up to face the division's biggest puncher. Look for Martirosyan to have an intelligent plan of attack come Saturday night. Early on he should look to work the jab and use his feet to avoid big punches. However, he will also need to get Golovkin's respect early and he can do that by countering effectively. If Martirosyan catches Golovkin and Golovkin doesn't feel his power he should become very aggressive and gun for the knockout.
PREDICTION: Vanes Martirosyan will not make this an easy night for Gennady Golovkin. He will find some success early with his movement and counter punching until Golovkin starts to heat up. Once Golovkin gets going he will dominate the smaller fighter and drop him a few times on his way to a seventh round stoppage victory.
 |
| Golovkin catching Saul "Canelo" Alvarez with an uppercut |
Golovkin's left hook can inflict serious pain upstairs or to the body and he can finish opponents with the right hand too. Defensively Golovkin isn't great, but his chin is. Because of his rock solid chin he is able to walk through punches and take two to land one of his own. A fighter with his chin, power, and understanding of what he needs to do make him a very difficult opponent to beat. While fans haven't been happy with the selection of Martirosyan as Golovkin's opponent, a highlight reel knockout could make them quick to forgive.
Martirosyan is a career junior middleweight who is moving up a division on very short notice. He fights out of the orthodox stance and actually doesn't give up any height or reach advantages to Golovkin. While fans might not be happy that he's facing Golovkin he has had a good career and was a member of the 2004 Olympic team. His best career win was against former IBF champion Ishe Smith but outside of that victory Martirosyan lacks any signature wins. What makes Martirosyan good is that he makes every fight difficult, including his bouts against Jermell Charlo, Demetrius Andrade, and Erislandy Lara, twice.
 |
| Martirosyan tagging Erislandy Lara with a clean uppercut |
Size is going to make this a difficult fight for Martirosyan as is the fact that he's been out of the ring for nearly two years. Golovkin has spent his entire career in the middleweight division and he's more than comfortable there. Martirosyan isn't just moving up a division for this fight, he's moving up to face the division's biggest puncher. Look for Martirosyan to have an intelligent plan of attack come Saturday night. Early on he should look to work the jab and use his feet to avoid big punches. However, he will also need to get Golovkin's respect early and he can do that by countering effectively. If Martirosyan catches Golovkin and Golovkin doesn't feel his power he should become very aggressive and gun for the knockout.
PREDICTION: Vanes Martirosyan will not make this an easy night for Gennady Golovkin. He will find some success early with his movement and counter punching until Golovkin starts to heat up. Once Golovkin gets going he will dominate the smaller fighter and drop him a few times on his way to a seventh round stoppage victory.
Comments
Post a Comment