Undefeated knockout powerhouse Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan and Canada’s David Lemieux meet tonight at Madison Square Garden to unify two of the major world middleweight boxing crowns.
Golovkin, who has knocked out 30 of his 33 opponents, including the last 20 is the WBA champion and will attempt to take Lemieux’s IBF strap (star: 06:00, approx).
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The Canadian (36-34-2) is also a ferocious puncher, with 31 of his 34 victories coming inside the distance. Quite understandably, few are expecting tonight’s fight to be decided by the judges, and Golovkin says he is ready for potentially the toughest night of his pro career.
“This is the biggest test for me,” Golovkin said. “He’s the IBF champ. It’s big situation, unification. I think we have three or four fighters and it’s very important who is number one.”
The winner puts himself in position for a potential unification showdown against the winner of next month’s matchup between WBC champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico.
My weight is 159.4 for #GolovkinLemieux tomorrow night on PPV and in @TheGarden #NYC. I am ready. #BigPresent #GGG pic.twitter.com/S7uigLUlds
— Gennady Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) October 16, 2015
Since taking the WBA crown in 2010, Golovkin has won 14 times, the second most defences in the division behind US legend Bernard Hopkins, and his 91 percent knockout ratio is the highest in middleweight history.
“I’m aware of his record but I am also aware of who I am and what I can bring to the table,” Lemieux said. “I am going to be a lion in there. Nothing is going to be in my way. I am sure Golovkin and I are going to be at our best. All of I what I have done has lead me here and I am extremely excited and proud.”
On the undercard Roman Gonzalez, for many the pound for pound No1, defends his WBC flyweight championship against dangerous American Brian Viloria.
Meanwhile, Kell Brook has withdrawn from his IBF welterweight title defence against Argentina’s Diego Chavez on October 24 after suffering a rib injury while sparring.
