The Historian’s Hub: Gennady “GGG” Golovkin Vs Kell Brook, UFC 200, & Anthony Joshua
By Ian “The Boxing Historian” Murphy
This week in the world of combat sports in microcosm: A middleweight takes on a welterweight, but under some different conditions. A British Statue comes to life and fights an opponent with a pulse (maybe?) and UFC 200 underwhelms….
“GGG” Vs Brook
The ink is just about dry on the contract for Middleweight Champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin to fight IBF Welterweight champion Kell Brook. Sound a little like Canelo Alvarez Vs Amir Khan? Sort of. While it is similar in that it’s another “big Vs small” fight, it differs in the conditions under which the fight was made. Alvarez has carved out his personal “Caneloweight” division of 155lbs, and calls out a talented, but chinny former lightweight/junior welter in Amir Khan instead of defending his (at the time) WBC Middleweight belt.
After predictably knocking Khan into next week, he avoids mandatory challenger Golovkin by vacating his belt. No balls points for that move, Ginger Boy. Golovkin? No one at 160lbs wants anything to do with “GGG”. That’s fact. Yes, there are social media call outs and contract stipulation shenanigans (ahem, Jacobs and Eubank, JR.?), but really, no one wants this guy. Not enough money is on the table, and there is too much of a chance that “GGG’s” opponent would face reconstruction surgery. So, props to Kell Brook for having the bagels (thanks, Packy!) to step up and take on the Kazakh Killer.
Anthony Joshua
I need to give some credit to Joshua’s management for keeping the big Brit busy. It’s refreshing when a guy who holds a portion of what used to be the greatest title in sports fight more than once per decade. Yet, despite his promise, he’s still stiff as a statue, although he appears to be loosening up a little fight by fight. Joshua’s opponent is purportedly former belt holder Bermane Stiverne. The Canadian should prove a stiffer test than the overwhelmed and befuddled Dominic Breazeale. Bermane looked drugged and sluggish in losing his title to Deontay Wilder last year, but barring any shady behavior by the Joshua camp, Stiverne should be in better form against Joshua. Will it matter in the end? No, A.J. will keep his zero, and British fans will continue to think he’s the best heavyweight since Muhammad Ali.
UFC 200
I used to be a humongous MMA fan. I still casually follow the sport, but not nearly as closely as I once did. I was at a friend’s house last night and caught the PPV of UFC 200. The buildup for this event has been substantial, and on paper, the card looked incredible. The cards were stuffed with former champions like Jose Aldo (who picked up the vacant 145lb belt), Takanori Gomi, Frankie Edgar, Cain Velasquez, Johny Hendricks, Brock Lesnar, and Anderson Silva. The fights were good on the whole (especially Velasquez/Browne), but it didn’t (in my opinion) live up to expectations. UFC 100, back in 2009, was a BEAST of a card. Top to bottom classics. Lesnar fought and broke down Frank Mir with a series of smashes from his lunch-box fists and the great Georges St.Pierre was at the peak of his powers. UFC 200? Lesnar looked good after a 5 year layoff, Amanda Nunes took the Women’s 135lb crown, and Anderson Silva stepped on on 5 seconds notice to take on Interim 205lb Champion Daniel Cormier after Jon Jones flushed the remainder of his MMA career down the shitter due to his preoccupation with Los Drogas. Cain Velasquez is back, and completely abused and beat down the giant Travis Browne. It was a solid event full of star power, but not the classic card we were all expecting.
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