Triple G ready for Showtime: Gennady Golovkin vs Curtis Stevens Preview

By Peter Wells (Twitter- @boxingsaddler):

Golovkin(Left) & Stevens(Right) take time out from training
to face the camera's

It is not all too often that one can say boxing fans have been spoilt, but over the last several weeks like a child on Christmas Day, fans have been awestruck by the sheer bombardment of thrilling action.  So while many would not consider American Curtis Stevens 25-3(18) to be WBA Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin’s biggest threat, you would be foolish to suggest this contest does not coincide with recent fights, this weekend is certainly not bucking the trend.

Golovkin, known as GGG, has lit up the Middleweight division with recent world class performances albeit against opposition you would expect any deserving world champion to beat. That is no disrespect to the likes of Matthew Macklin, Gabriel Rosado, Kassim Ouma and others who are all game contenders, but with high profile named fighters Peter Quillin, Sergio Martinez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr hounding the Middleweight division then it is obvious there are more testing challenges waiting ahead for the man many consider the top dog in the historically imperious weight class.

In his 8^th defence of his WBA ‘world’ Middleweight title Golovkin 27-0(24) will be looking to add the unpredictable Stevens to his glossy scrapbook of knockout victims. Not since June 2008 has the Kazakhstan fighter heard the judges’ scorecards and he has never been beyond 10 rounds. Since winning the WBA strap with a 3^rd round KO of Nilson Julio Tapia in 2010, Golovkin has beaten Kassim Ouma (TKO 10), Lajuan Simon (KO 1), Makoto Fuchigami (TKO 3), Grzegorz Proksa (TKO 5), Gabriel Rosado (TKO 7), Nobuhiro Ishida (KO 3) and Matthew Macklin (KO 3). A splendid resume that has brought fans to their feet every time Triple G fights.

Golovkin may not be fluent with English but his crossover appeal has ensured he is a far bigger star in America than one of the USA’s own. Curtis Stevens, who fights out of Brownsville, New York, has made it clear that he is unmoved by the fear factor that Golovkin brings, and on Saturday night he will want to vanquish the Middleweight boogeyman while creating an aura of his own.

Stevens has just way too much power for Saul Roman

While Stevens’ 1 round demolition of Saul Roman was comprehensive and sent out waves across the 160lb division, it is hard not to pay attention to the 3 losses on Curtis’ resume. Early in his career he was stunned by an above average journeyman, Marcos Primera (L TKO 8) but bounced straight back with a conclusive points victory over his subjugator. Then in 2007 came his second loss, this time at the hands of an up-and-coming Andre Dirrell (L UD 10) before another comprehensive defeat by former ‘Contender’ star Jesse Brinkley (L UD 12). Prior to his third reverse he annihilated the unbeaten Piotr Wilczewski (TKO 3) and since has wins over decent fighters Elvin Ayala (KO 1) and Derrick Findley (UD 8) as well as Roman.

Stevens has shown signs of his potential but that erratic inconsistency has already cost him numerous times. Had the 28 year old American come in undefeated it would have been far easier to make a case for him to put a stop to Golovkin’s reign, but those defeats stand out like a sore thumb.

Stevens has a punchers chance but Golovkin has thus far taken the best his opponents can dish out, although fans of Stevens will point out that most of his challengers lacked the power that Stevens possesses. Then again it may also have been due to the fact that his recent opponents haven’t been afforded the chance to test the chin of Golovkin, being all too preoccupied by the shots raining in their way.

If Stevens can close the gap and force Golovkin to fight in close then if a scrappy contest ensues, the higher Stevens chances of an upset become. At range Golovkin is adept at landing sharp long punches that generate full power, closing the gap would take the stings out of Golovkin’s shots. But getting up close and personal with Golovkin is far easier said than done, and the feeling is Golovkin can make Stevens pay on the way in. This will force Stevens to stick to the outside, and while some will believe out boxing the Kazakh fighter is the only way to win, it has thus far proved fruitless. Stevens will offer a considerable challenge but unless he can seriously hurt Golovkin, the champion will cut the ring off, wearing Stevens down for a stoppage victory around the 8^th session.


The pick of the undercard action sees two unbeaten Heavyweights square off in a battle between boxer and puncher. The boxer Mike Perez 19-0(12) is still on the comeback trail after a year-and-a-half out of the ring. In his last contest in May he scored a one-sided points victory over Travis Walker. Prior to that he comprehensively won the International Prizefighter tournament scoring two first round stoppage victories on his way to the trophy.

Perez will be looking to propel his career on Saturday

The Cuban who has fought most of his professional career out of Ireland will be more than wary of his opponents’ power. Magomed Abdusalomov 18-0(18) has 11 victories in the first round alone and has only once been past round 4 and that was when he stopped Victor Bisbal in the 5^th. On paper the Russian who fights out of Florida has been fed a healthy diet of opponents above the grade of your average development level.

So while Abdusalomov’s upbringing in the professional game has been impressive question marks surrounding his stamina will likely be answered on Saturday. Perez cannot be too cautious, and will benefit from leading Abdusalomov on, forcing the 6ft 3in fighter to waste precious energy. Perez at just 6ft will struggle to impose himself early on but as the pace slows down the slicker Perez can outbox the Russian to win a close, maybe split decision.

Ola Afolabi will be hoping to bounce back from his most comprehensive defeat at the hands of his nemesis Marco Huck when he fights for the vacant IBO Cruiserweight crown. Lukasz Janik 26-1(14) is his opponent who will be facing his toughest test of his career.

Afolabi 19-3-4(9) can use his experience to dominate Janik over the 12 rounds, possibly forcing a stoppage late in the contest.