My Thoughts and Takeaways of Golovkin/Lemieux

Hi:hi:

I've been quiet for a while, but that's because I was so busy in NYC. On my first fight experience, I have nothing else left to say other than it was the most incredible sporting event I've ever been to and I've been to a lot. My family is now completely full-blown Triple G fans from previously being Mayweather fans, and the transition was quite easy for them. Seriously, my mom and dad didn't care about anyone else in boxing but Mayweather, but now they've already rewatched GGG/Lemieux. They want to go to Canelo/GGG, and I'll be attending more of his fights for now on, without a doubt.

On the fight,

1) For all of us who said Golovkin was allowing Monroe to hit him, we were right. Golovkin's defense was extremely impressive. He was slipping, rolling, and parrying David's shots for majority of the fight. If you went back and watched the fight in slow-motion, you would be equally impressed with Golovkin's defense as you would be watching Mayweather's defense. Not saying their defense is equally as good, but that it is impressive nonetheless. There were techniques too that he used that reminded me of Mayweather.

For one, Golovkin uses his arm as a distraction the same way Mayweather does when he's being pressed. When Mayweather is on the ropes, he'll stick out his arm as a tool to blind or befuddle the opponent to turn them. Golovkin used it against Lemieux various amount of times when he too was pressed against the ropes. He also incorporated the shoulder-roll to avoid much of what David was throwing. Very neat to see from Golovkin because he doesn't use it often. It just goes to show that Sanchez isn't kidding when he says fans really haven't seen all that Golovkin has in his tool box.

2) For rounds 1-5, Golovkin used as I term his "Olympic-style" meaning he boxed. He subtly cut off the ring a few times when he wanted, but for the most part he was fighting Lemieux in the center of the ring and using his jab. Obviously the jab was the main aspect of the story, and Golovkin's usage of it was brilliantly. Lemieux was so thrown out of his gameplan and really had no answer on it from the start. It seemed as if Golovkin was landing it every single time. Lemieux got hesitant to attack and when he did try to go in, Golovkin would either jab him out or counter him. It was demoralizing for his opponent.

3) After the knockdown, Golovkin left his olympic-style and consciously chose to begin fighting in the style that we are accustomed to see him use which is the stalker that cuts off the ring and more aggressively (yet still methodically) begins to break down the opponent. After round 5, he smelled blood and began to press for the knockout. Golovkin knew Lemieux was finished, had nothing to offer and went after him. He transformed back into the fighter we see each fight and once he did, it took only 2-3 rounds for the KO to finally come. When Golovkin left his olympic-style, Lemieux was having a bit more success since Golovkin become that much more aggressive and walking him down, but it was nothing that concerned Golovkin obviously and it was a opportunity cost worth taking since Lemieux was becoming more and more broken down with each exchange.

4) For rounds 1-5 when he was using the "Olympic-Style" (jabbing, more defensive), I noticed
a) Golovkin's feet are faster than we think and played a huge role in
why Lemieux was hitting air.
b) Golovkin has an incredible sense of timing and distance

5) This was Golovkin's best performance. No, Golovkin didn't knock Lemieux out in two rounds like he did other opponents, but this was still his best performance to me. The reason I say that is because Golovkin showed more skill in this fight than we have seen in any other previous one. We saw new things from Golovkin that we haven't and credit to Lemieux for bringing it out.

Lemieux was a good opponent. Golovkin didn't just avoid his power, he completely neutralized Lemieux in every aspect. Regardless of how good you think Lemieux is, that's impressive. Golovkin showed two different styles and proved that he is an extremely versatile and intelligent fighter who is fully aware of what is happening in the ring and when/how to adjust to what is happening in the ring.

How rare is it to see a fighter who can choose what he wants to do with an opponent game-plan wise. He can out-brawl any MW and out-box any MW. Pacquiao is similiar, but he is clearly a better brawler than he is boxer while Golovkin seems to be equally as good in both regards. And when I say better, I mean elite because he can completely dominate any MW with either style that he pleases to use. That's special everyone, and I hope you realize that.

Overall, I saw what Mayweather and Pacquiao have done before so many times:

Make GOOD opponents look like a complete amateur, and that is exactly what happened. Golovkin made a good opponent look like he didn't even belong. That is a testament to Golovkin's skill and the level in which he's at which truly is that much greater than all the other opponents in the MW division. Mayweather can fight any top Welterweight in his division and make them look like a C grade fighter, and yet any other welterweight would be a good match with anyone else. Same with Pacquiao, and same with Golovkin. He is doing what an ATG should be doing. Making good opponents look C-grade.

With that said, I was the most impressed with Golovkin than any of his other fights in all regards of his defense, offense, and skill. I truly believe we are watching a prime ATG in action. Appreciate it!

 

Same. I knew his defense was supremely underrated because he was so hard to hit back in his amateur days, so I thought due to age that maybe he lost the "quickness", but boy was I wrong. He definitely still has that ability, he just never felt the need to use that skill until last fight.

And on recovery time, you're right. I thought Lemieux's power would have more of an affect because we know he hits almost nearly as hard as GGG. He landed flush a few times in the later rounds when Golovkin began to break him down for the KO, and Golovkin didn't even flinch. So, we have a beast who can make you miss, can't be hurt, while at the same time has power that- thus far-cannot be handled. Who is going to fight this guy?

 

I agree. It'll become a lottery to fight him like the other crossover stars.