What If? Gennady Golovkin Vs Floyd Mayweather, JR – Shocking OUTCOME!

By Ian “The Boxing Historian” Murphy

Ah…finally a fantasy fight starring the Money Man, that cuddly and loveable salesman that was at one point the face of boxing. He has a love/hate relationship with the boxing fans and establishment, who loves the money he rakes in. Such a misunderstood individual, isn’t he? Now that Floyd has been retired for a little while, there is some noise being made that Mayweather, JR. might take on the top Middleweight in the world, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin. Just in case there is anyone out there who thinks this could actually happen, it isn’t. Floyd Mayweather, JR. is, above all, a master businessman, and business is about generating maximum payout with the least amount of risk. So, in short, Floyd fighting “GGG” is too big of a risk to be worth the money this fight would generate. That’s a shame because there are many people who would love to see “Make it Rain” (Thanks, “Bad” Brad!) get his comeuppance at the hands of the Crackin’ Kazakh. While “GGG” isn’t as polarizing a figure as Mayweather, JR., he does have his fair share of haters that would love to see him get exposed by the “Money Man.” So in the spirit of stirring the pot a little bit, I give you Floyd Mayweather, JR. Vs Gennady Golovkin.

Even though I think it’s more likely that boxing’s sanctioning bodies will implode and hand the sport back to the Mob, we will assume this fight will happen. As far as a head to head matchup, this is a classic boxer (or runner!) versus puncher. Floyd has undeniable physical gifts matched with a good overall boxing acumen. Now we all know the self styled moniker of “TBE” is complete rubbish, but the man is irrefutably the best of his generation. To have a shot against “GGG”, Lil’ Floyd had better dust off his “TBE” model bicycle! The odds are against Mayweather, JR. in almost any way you can stack them. He’s five years older, naturally much smaller, and has bad hands that plague his own power, which at one time was actually fairly substantial at lower weight divisions.

Even though Floyd’s resume is more impressive, he has some tendencies in the ring that could get him in trouble versus Golovkin, namely his habit of hanging around in the corners and slip-sliding his way out of trouble. This works on fighters that either cannot hurt you, or are not solid enough ring technicians to keep you there and do damage. Golovkin can crush you with his power, and he actually knows how to set it all up to maximize what he has. Mind you, “GGG” hasn’t ever faced anyone like Floyd either, so Mayweather, JR.’s considerable ring IQ could also play dividends and swing the fight towards the Money Man.

THE FIGHT

Preparation has gone well for both men, and each is ready to get down to business. For all his shtick, Mayweather, JR. always comes ready to fight. Golovkin is calm, in a good mood, and completely unbothered by the enormous amount of press this fight has been subject to. Both fan bases are out of control and the fight has been built to a fever pitch. At the weigh in, despite needing to cut a decent amount of weight to make 155lbs (Mayweather , JR.and “GGG” decided that “Caneloweight” was a good compromise), Golovkin is substantially bigger than Mayweather, JR., who came in at 153. On fight night, both are composed and ready to go.

ROUND 1

Mayweather , JR. comes out tentatively, and paws his left hand to gauge proper distance. Floyd throws a right hand lead and connects lightly. “GGG” tries to counter with a left hook, but misses by about three feet. “Ok”, thinks Golovkin. “I cannot counter unless I have him immobilized”. Mayweather, JR. dances around, flicking out ineffectual jabs that “GGG” parries or slips. Floyd throws another lead right and connects more solidly, snapping Golovkin’s head back. Floyd then retreats and rides his bike for the rest of the round. 10-9 MAYWEATHER, JR.

ROUND 2

Mayweather, JR. baits “GGG” into a corner and throws a one-two to find his range again. As Golovkin advances, Floyd goes into his “Philly Shell” and dips to his right to entice a slower power punch that he can counter and move away from. Golovkin obliges him but instead offers a ramrod jab that purposely slams into Mayweather, JR.’s exposed left shoulder, knocking him slightly off balance. As Mayweather, JR. twists to escape the corner he is met with a hard overhand right that lands high on his head, but buckles his knees a little. Floyd immediately clinches to force a break by the referee. Uncle Roger Mayweather yells from his corner a stream of garbled obscenities that probably translates to “Don’t play with this guy”. After the referee breaks them up, Mayweather, JR. tries to land a jab, but “GGG” catches it and lands his own harder jab. Floyd gets back on his bike, but Golovkin doesn’t chase right after him. He just circles along with him looking to shrink the ring and looks for a chance to corner Floyd. The round ends with Golovkin landing another hard jab. 10-9 GOLOVKIN

ROUND 3

Realizing that he can’t rely solely on his reflexes to keep him safe, Mayweather, JR. comes out for the third round dead serious. He has to take away that jab. Golovkin follows a constantly retreating Floyd, who is doing an excellent job at staying outside his jab. Mayweather is landing jabs to the body that are not hurting GGG, but they are scoring points. The round comes to a close as “GGG” misses a left hook after Floyd stings him with a right hand lead. 10-9 MAYWEATHER, JR.

ROUND 4

Golovkin needs to reestablish his jab and follow it up with something substantial. He landed nothing of consequence in round three. Mayweather, JR. had some success with the jab to the body, and continues to employ this strategy. Golovkin presses and is starting to make the ring smaller by incrementally walking down the Money Man. He’s not landing cleanly beyond a hard jab, and is taking a small amount of punishment when Mayweather, JR. is in command of ring center. Floyd lands a hard right hand again, snapping Golovkin’s head back. 10-9 MAYWEATHER, JR.

ROUND 5

Round five opens with more of the same, with Mayweather, JR. defty keeping “GGG” off of him with timely counters and elusive movement. Golovkin remains focused and finally, midway through the round, succeeds in getting Mayweather, JR. trapped on the ropes. Floyd is slipping almost all the head shots fired at him, but he is getting blasted with hard shots to the body. Golovkin appears to be throwing ineffectual punches to the head to get Floyd to move so the body is more of a target. “GGG” is not concerned with landing perfectly placed shots as much as he is landing with authority, anywhere. He connects on Mayweather, JR.’s arms, ribs, chest, and one right on the belt. As the belt shot lands, Mayweather, JR. grabs his crotch and the referee separates the combatants. Floyd is milking this for all its worth. It isn’t pretty, and is a little cowardly, but it works in giving him a break from a tough body assault. After Floyd’s act is over, they start up again, but the round ends. Floyd walks a little slower to his corner… 10-9 GOLOVKIN

ROUND 6

The “Money Man” comes out a little slower and instead of moving around like a Mexican jumping bean, decides to strike a very defensive pose, keeping his arms tight to his body. Golovkin walks him down, fakes a left to the body and before Mayweather, JR. can turn his shoulder over to protect himself, a massive right hand lands on Floyd’s jaw. He is on queer street, wobbling, but smartly grabs onto “GGG’s” arm to buy a respite. Before the ref can break them, GGG rips his right arm away and throws a huge left hand haymaker. Floyd gets his hands up, but the force of the blow drives him into the corner. Golovkin is all over him, firing hard body shots that are landing with audible thuds, and just as Mayweather, JR. looks to slip out the back door, Golovkin lands a big left hand that drops Floyd to a knee. He gets up at the count of 8, and is clearly in defense-only mode. His legs are still a little shaky, but he manages to stave off GGG for the remainder of the round. 10-8 GOLOVKIN

ROUND 7

A very confident GGG runs out of his corner to finish his job, but is surprisingly met with a great 1-2 that stops him in his tracks. The old “Money Man” still has a few tricks up his sleeve! Mayweather uncharacteristically tries to follow up and hurt “GGG” but runs right into a big right hand that lands on his nose, instantly breaking it. Floyd covers up, then clinches to get his bearings. Golovkin then goes to work on the face of the battered Mayweather, JR., whose nose looks like it’s exploded on his face. GGG lands some jabs to the head, but nothing to further hurt Mayweather. 10-9 GOLOVKIN

ROUND 8

Mayweather, JR. comes out in the eighth looking to get back in the fight. He’s hurt and banged up, but for all his shenanigans, he is always in great shape and takes his career very seriously. He sees his “0” slipping away to a younger and more powerful foe, so he does what Floyd does best, he tries to adjust. Instead of pecking and moving, Floyd attempts to stay in the center of the ring and slip and defend. At first, “GGG” has a little trouble dealing with this new game plan, but quickly realizes an immobilized Mayweather, JR. is there for the taking. Instead of being reckless, “GGG” gets back to work on Floyd’s nose, which is a total mess. Several hard jabs have Mayweather, JR. backing up, hoping to rest on the ropes and kill some time.

Golovkin again goes to work on the body, now landing with big shots, especially to the right side. Floyd throws a hard right to create a little space so he can move but just as it whistles past “GGG’s” face, Golovkin lands a brutal left to the body followed up by a straight right to the head. Both land clean, and Mayweather, JR. drops like he’s been shot. No count needed, the “Money Man” has just written a check he couldn’t cash… Winner by knockout: Gennady “GGG” Golovkin.

CONCLUSION

The above scenario is of course not the only way this ends. Either man could win, and Floyd could stink the joint out and take a UD, but it is much more likely that “GGG” wins. I’m not saying this is an easy fight for GGG, as someone as slippery as Mayweather, JR. needs to be figured out gradually. You need to shrink the ring and pick your shots. Golovkin’s comparative youth, ring IQ, counterpunching, and big power win him this fight. Yes, Floyd has a great chin, but this is not the same as going against natural Lightweights and Welterweights. Golovkin is big hitter for the 160 class, and never has had any issue with poleaxing men a lot bigger than Mayweathe, JR.

What about Floyd’s defense, hasn’t it saved him in the past? Yes, it indeed has, but when has he ever dealt with someone both skilled enough to hit him and powerful enough to hurt him? Never. Marcos Maidana was able to bully him into the ropes, but was relatively ineffectual once the fight got there, as he was way too predictable. “GGG” doesn’t let you off the hook. Floyd spends a lot of time riding the ropes, and none of his past opponents have been able to both keep him there and once there, hurt him. Golovkin can do both, and in brutal fashion. Anyone (including GGG) can be beaten, as it really boils down to the match up. Here’s the reality check: Golovkin can hurt and reach Floyd Mayweather, JR. The “Money Man” does not have the firepower to hurt Golovkin.

He started his career as a Junior Lightweight for Pete’s Sake! He’s not Roberto Duran! If “GGG” can walk you down and score on you, you are in serious trouble. It doesn’t matter if you are a smooth boxer or not. Where in the history of boxing does being a slick mover guarantee victory and since when is quick movement the only way to be considered a great technical boxer? It simply doesn’t. Golovkin is a far superior offensive boxer than Mayweather, JR., and anyone who has more than a clue can see this. Combine that with giving away size, strength, power, and offensive versatility, Floyd gets his clock cleaned in the end.

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