Gennady “GGG” Golovkin Vs Jake “Bronx Bull” LaMotta: Mythical Matchup

By Dave “Mythical” Siderski

Gennady Golovkin, aka “GGG”, is the most exciting Middleweight fighter we’ve seen in many years. . He’s 33-0, 30 KO’s and has annihilated 14 straight challengers by stoppage. For all his skill, “GGG” is still searching for a marquee opponent as all of the top fighters of today seem to be avoiding him.

To the rescue comes Dr. Emmitt Brown! With the help of his DeLorean and 1.21 gigawatts, we’re going to send “GGG” into the past to provide the challenge he and boxing fans have been yearning for. Let’s transport him back to 1950 and pit him against the legendary “Bronx Bull”, Jake LaMotta. Jake lacks the natural punching power of a GGG but he was one roughest and meanest customers ever seen in a boxing ring. Among his other attributes, the “Bronx Bull” possessed a nearly impenetrable chin. LaMotta comes into tonight’s fight with a record of 77-14-3, 28 KO’s. Although he is vastly more experienced, at age 29, he is actually four years younger than the 33 year old “GGG”.

So our matchup is now set, the awesome power and skill of “GGG” versus the durability, experience and relentless aggression of one of the greatest Middleweight’s of all-time in Jake LaMotta. Who takes it? Let’s find out!

LET’S SETTLE THIS IN THE RING

On the night of December 8, 1950, over 70,000 fans have gathered at Yankee Stadium to witness one of the most compelling and controversial matchups in boxing history. Since his arrival from future one month ago, “GGG” has been treated with fear and suspicion by an American public swept up by McCarthyism and fear of the Red Menace. This, in spite of the fact that Golovkin has conducted himself with nothing but class and grace leading up to the fight. “GGG” and his handlers have tried repeatedly to explain he has no affiliation with the Soviet Union or the Communist party. However, these explanations have fallen on deaf ears. Golovkin enters tonight’s fight in the uncomfortable role of the villain.

The crowd loudly boos “GGG” and wildly cheers LaMotta as each respectively enter the ring. Both men weighted in exactly at the Middleweight limit of 160 lbs. Golovkin has a height (5’10’ ½ to 5’8’’) and reach advantage (70’’ to 67’’) over the stocky Bronx Bull. Referee Ruby Goldstein calls the fighters to the center of the ring. The bell is about to ring for round one. LaMotta goes right after “GGG” in the first round showing absolutely no respect for his punching power. Conversely, Golovkin starts slowly and tentatively, perhaps a bit rattled by the hostile atmosphere at Yankee Stadium. “GGG” lands his first telling blow of the fight, a hard left hook, early in the second round. However, this doesn’t even faze the Bronx Bull who simply sneers at

Golovkin in return. LaMotta remains the aggressor, imposing his will and ferocity on the inside.

LaMotta continues to dominate at the start of round three. Many of Jake’s body punches are straying below the belt. Golovkin and his corner attempt to protest to Referee Goldstein. However, their pleas are completely ignored. A frustrated “GGG” decides to fight fire with fire and drills LaMotta with a left to the groin. The crowd howls with disapproval and Goldstein penalizes Golovkin and sternly warns him to keep his punches up. “GGG” returns to his corner shaking his head in exasperation.

Golovkin’s trainer, Abel Sanchez, chastises him in the corner: “You’re letting this friggin’ guy get inside your head. You’re too good for that! Forget about the crowd and the Goddamn referee. Go out there and fight like you know how to! On the heels of those instructions, “GGG” goes out for the fourth round with renewed vigor and determination. He’s now battling with LaMotta on even terms with both men landing hard punches on the inside. Golovkin rocks LaMotta with a crackling left hook with 30 seconds remaining and nails him again with a wicked straight right as the round comes to a close.

Over the next two rounds, “GGG” assumes control of the fight. After tasting the power of Golovkin, the Bronx Bull is now forced to fight more cautiously. “GGG” works his jab with greater frequency and utilizes his height and reach advantage to pile up points on the outside. After six rounds, the fight is very close according to most at ringside. “GGG” also starts strong in round seven, continuing to tag LaMotta with hard power shots from long range. However, as the round winds to a close, the Bronx Bull is becoming increasingly confident, knowing he’s been able to take Golovkin’s best shots. “GGG” returns to his corner with a puzzled look on his face and his body language seems to say: “What the hell else do I have to do to get this guy out of here?”
As the fight moves into Round 8, LaMotta is now effectively timing and slipping “GGG” power shots and smothering him on the inside. Golovkin simply isn’t able to create the space he needs to land his big bombs. Once again, the Bronx Bull is roughing up his less experienced challenger. This trend continues into Round 9. By the end of the 9th, “GGG” is seriously swollen under his right eye and breathing heavily as he returns to the corner. For the first time in his career, he finds himself in a real war.

Facing real adversity for the first time in his career, “GGG” responds in courageous fashion engaging with LaMotta in furious toe to toe action in Round 10. The action brings the crowd to its feet. LaMotta lands a wicked left hook to the body and Golovkin responds with a crackling right which snaps the Bronx Bull’s head back. LaMotta staggers “GGG” with a hard right as the round comes to a close. The crowd rises to its feet and is beginning to gain respect for the man they previously regarded with fear and contempt. Golovkin tears into LaMotta with reckless abandon early in the 11th round. He lands a left hook which stuns LaMotta. “GGG’ backs him to the ropes and pounds away to the body. LaMotta turns the tide with a hard right and lands a vicious three punch combination to the body which causes Golovkin to audibly groan. The crowd roars with approval at the bell rings.

As Round 12 begins ‘GGG” is still dead game but starting to tire. He’s now suffering from swelling under the left eye as well. The Bronx Bull backs Golovkin to the ropes and batters him to the body. “GGG” holds on trying to gain his second wind. Gennady lands a solid left hook, right cross combination as the round comes to a close. By Round 13, LaMotta is now in complete command. “GGG” spends the entire round along the ropes. Golovkin desperately tries to fire back but his punches lack the steam they had earlier in the fight. The Bronx Bull’s confidence is surging while “GGG” returns to his corner looking exhausted and defeated.

GGG now can barely see at Round 14 starts. He is absorbing a savage beating both to the body and head. LaMotta is looking for the finishing blow but Golovkin refuses to fall. If this fight had occurred in 2015, it would almost certainly be stopped but in the era of the 1950’s referee Goldstein allows the action to continue, feeling “GGG” deserves to go out like a champion. In addition to the swelling under both of his eyes, “GGG’s” lower back and sides are now filled with welts. Between rounds, Sanchez tells him: “Champ, you’re getting killed out there, enough is enough. However, Golovkin begs to continue and Sanchez relents, allowing him to go out for the 15th round.

LaMotta turns up the heat during the first minute of Round 15 seeking to finish his vulnerable adversary. However, “GGG” lands a tremendous left hook which nearly tears the Bronx Bull’s head off. Golovkin follows up with a right which sends LaMotta reeling towards the ropes. GGG tries to pursue but at this point he’s just too exhausted and beaten up to take advantage. The Bronx Bull recovers quickly and fights more cautiously over the rest of the round confident that he’s well ahead on points. The fighters embrace at the close of the round and the crowd roars with approval over the tremendous battle they’ve seen.

The decision is announced. LaMotta wins: 10-4-1, 10-5 and 8-5-2 on the judges’ scorecards. In the post-fight interview LaMotta says: “This guy is a tough sonofabitch, one of the best I’ve ever faced in the ring”. A disappointed Golovkin says: “Jake LaMotta is a great champion and it was an honor to fight him. I tried my best but was never able to get into my fight. I’d love to face him again.”

Both men leave the ring to thunderous applause from the Yankee Stadium crowd. “GGG” has earned their respect with his courageous performance. The day after the fight the legendary scribe Jimmy Cannon wrote: “Even though his lost, this kid Golovkin proved to us all that he’s a real fighter of substance. He took a beating that would have felled three ordinary men. He never backed down and carried himself with dignity throughout and after the fight. On this particular night, he was too green and inexperienced for the grizzled LaMotta but if this “GGG” kid is reflective of boxing’s future, the future looks bright.”

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