Gennady “GGG” Golovkin – Kell Brook Indepth Fight Breakdown

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By Vinny “Glory Days” Lucci

In the advent of the shocking news of September 10th rapidly approaching, the boxing world is ablaze with debate of whether or not Kell Brook’s challenge of middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin is a throwback to the glorious age of royalty among champions, or just a hyped up fight to fill an open dance card for the Kazakhstani champion. It has been no secret, that every top middleweight contender or belt holder has been avoiding the “Big drama show” for three years already, leaving fans clamoring for a real showdown of talent to officially anoint “GGG” king or expose him of being merely human after all. While all the biggest guns in division either vacated their title, priced themselves out of the ballpark or simply declared themselves unable or undersized to take on the fight until the fall of 2017, one tin soldier will step forward from the welterweight ranks.

Brook with a current 147 pound title wrapped around his waist, will contend for the middleweight title for only the ninth time in boxing history (welterweight champion faces a middleweight champion), taking on the thirteen pound challenge and well as the middleweight beast who owns the highest knockout percentage in the weight class. Triple G has finished work for judges early and ended his last 22 bouts by stoppage, with an overview of 35 wins with 32 KO’s. His nonstop forward aggression, backed by smooth balance and two fisted thunder upstairs and down has made decent contenders look ordinary. It’s made sane boxers fear taking a loss and the dread of going back to the end of the contender’s line. Brook on paper, has satisfactory numbers that compliment “GGG’s” with a 36-0, 25 KO’s record.

Yet sadly, that’s about where the similarity ends. While “GGG” has literally called out and tried to negotiate a fight with every top flight boxer in his division, Kell has managed to squeeze one recognizable name onto his resume, that of Shawn Porter. I was expecting the coronation of a trail blazer in the welter ranks, who, blessed with speed, skill and power, would take on the likes of Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Manny Pacquiao, Tim Bradley, Errol Spence, JR., Amir Kahn, and Jesse Vargas. Instead, we were treated to title defenses against suspect names like Jo Jo Dan, Frankie Gavin, and Kevin Bizier who collectively lasted a total of ten rounds among them.

Leaves many of us in the boxing world scratching our heads in bewilderment wondering aloud why the hell take on such a daunting challenge when little superiority was proven amongst such a stellar array of contenders in his own division with enough big money match ups to last until the rapture? Here’s how they will match up for size in the ring, with Kell claiming the 160 pound weight limit being his natural stronger weight, fit snug into his 5’9” muscular frame, with a 69 inch reach. Gennady, a natural middleweight if there ever was one, stands an inch taller and favors a once inch reach advantage. In all likelihood, he’ll enter ring with a surplus of ten pounds. Which brings us to fight night.

Having never witnessed either combatant hurt, it’s fair to say they both have been blessed with whiskers, but little can be learned from Kell’s record other than he turned pro in 2004. He was matched against foes he was expected to beat and did so thoroughly. The Porter fight was messy due to Shawn’s relentless pressure, but Kell was able to nullify the bum rushes with jabs and then tie him up in pocket. He has been promoting the fight like a man possessed, convinced when his skills are unleashed, he will not only rise to the occasion, but knock Golovkin out.

It’s been over fifty years since Emile Griffith decisioned Dick Tiger in Madison Square Garden to give a relative perspective on how difficult the task is. The one and only time the world ever witnessed “GGG” stung by a punch, he was on receiving end of a right hand from Daniel Geale in round three of their title fight, rocked back on heels of both feet and fired back an off balance right hand that crashed Geale to the canvas for the count.

Finally, let’s sum up this PPV fight… You have to applaud the heart and stones of Kell Brook, in a sad era of cherry pickers and draft dodgers. He has set his aim high and looks to capture the flag in the sports betting books as well as the world’s imagination. As a realist, this fight isn’t about intangibles of heart, but what each fighter actually brings to the contest and what got him here. Nowhere in Kell’s past has he had prepared himself to do battle with men where he didn’t enjoy all the advantages of size and reach. Never before has he had to taste the power and fury of good middleweight, let alone a great one.

With the Porter fight as the only clue as to how Brook handles a strong pressure fighter, it is abundantly clear he has bitten off more than he could chew. Golovkin, has perfect balance, leverage and cuts the ring better than any fighter in boxing today using both sides of in the pocket with equal devastation. His combinations flow smoothly in rapid succession, wearing down his opponents will to win as well as his chin.

To win, Kell will need to box behind a superior jab, smother Golovkin in the pocket, tying him up while exiting the gate on either side and keeping a respectable distance. No one has yet to come close to executing such a plan and standing their ground against him seems like suicide. Early prediction, Golovkin by stoppage in nine gallant rounds. When the dream doesn’t quite reach fruition, Kell has the luxury of returning to the welterweights where he rightfully belongs and finally showcase those incredible talents forthright.

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