Gennady "GGG" Golovkin earned his 18th consecutive knockout on October 18 in California over Marco Antonio Rubio, delivering on his promise of a "big drama show." He continues to be billed as the most feared puncher in boxing, but his trainer Abel Sanchez may be viewing that as a gift and a curse.
"I was taken aback by how tight Gennady was early in the first round," Sanchez said. "He wanted to finish things quickly, and he was throwing a lot of wide, looping shots as a result."
This was evident in Golovkin's knockout victory over Daniel Geale, another instance of GGG making quick work of a veteran, but overmatched opponent. Geale had connected with a right hand that didn't hurt Golovkin, but knocked him off balance. Golovkin returned fire with a wide right hand off his back foot; the knockout was stunning because of the power generated without his feet firmly planted, but the technique is starting to worry Sanchez.
Boxing strategist James Gogue discussed this new trend with FightSaga.com, and compared some of the changes in Golovkin's game to Mike Tyson's. "I've seen this all too many times throughout boxing's rich history," Gogue said.
"Guys with sound, technical skills and great athleticism, like Mike Tyson and Tommy Hearns, will become enamored with their own power and abandon their technical ability as a result."
Gogue also said Golovkin may be able to continue winning with this flaw, because the current crop of middleweight challengers aren't up to the challenge of knocking him off. If Golovkin were to eventually face super middleweight champion Andre Ward, however, these deficiencies may become painfully obvious.
"If Gennady isn't mindful of this common trap among devastating punchers, he could fall into the same mistakes when his level of competition increases," Gogue said.
"It would be a shame if that were to happen to such a technically gifted fighter like Gennady Golovkin, who has the potential to be one of boxing's biggest stars."
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