Gennady Golovkin, almost universally regarded as one of the best fighters in the world, turns 34 today.
Born in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, but fighting out of Los Angeles, “Triple G” won the Silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics, turning pro two years later (34-0, 31 KOs). Undefeated, the phenomenal puncher hasn’t not won by stoppage since June 2008, when he beat Amar Amari by unanimous decision.
Golovkin won the interim WBA World middleweight title in August 2010 by knocking out Milton Nunez in the first. Recognized as the sanctioning body’s “regular” champ that October, the Kazakh successfully defended his title 10 times before being elevated to “super” champ in June 2014. He’s defended his WBA Super World middleweight belt five times, most recently last October when he stopped David Lemieux by eighth-round TKO, thus winning the IBF World middleweight title.
In addition, Triple G scored the vacant IBO World middleweight title in December 2011 by knocking out Lajuan Simon in the first and the interim WBC World middleweight belt in October 2014 by knocking out Marco Antonio Rubio in the second.
Golovkin is scheduled to defend against another hard puncher (though not as hard), undefeated Dominic Wade (18-0, 12 KOs), over a scheduled 12 rounds at the Forum in Inglewood, California, on Saturday, April 23. Although he’s never before fought for a title, Wade, who’ll turn 26 on April 12, is sixth-ranked by the WBA. A pro since 2009, he most recently fought last June, beating Sam Soliman by split decision.
The clean-living Kazakh is very much involved in the WBA’s “KO to Drugs Campaign,” introduced by the recently departed Gilberto Mendoza at the WBA Convention in Margarita Island, Venezuela, in 1989 and intended to raise youth awareness of the dangers of drugs.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
