Worst middleweights you'd pick to beat 2017 Golovkin?

James Toney. I don't think he would've beaten the version from a few years ago, but he'd beat the current version.

 

I saw Golovkin at 35 years old win at least 8 rounds against a faster, likely heavier, and much younger defensive opponent.

Golovkin is first guy I seen hurt Canelo too.

I think ultimately, we are still going to come up with the same names we did before this fight.

 

For me Golovkin has proven himself, over his career to be one of the best ever in MW history.

People say he's slowed down a bit but he's faced his best 3 opponents in those fights that have seen him slow so it's hard to say if he has or not.

I mean would Golovkin of 2 years ago really have destroyed Canelo? I'd be inclined to say no. I'd suggest he would always wim a close fight.

If we're going off men I think are legit MW fighters there's very few I'd pick to beat him.

Hagler had more dimensions so definitely him.

I struggle to see Monzon having success against Golovkin. Hopkins has a decent shot but I think Golovkin is too active and too strong for the usual Hopkins approach. Toney is too flat footed to succeed against GGG as is Fitzsimmons for me.

Aside from Hagler, the two actual MW fighters I think have the best chance of beating Golovkin are Gibbons and Tiger. I wouldn't favour either but I'd have to say they're probably close to 50/50.

Other greats who've fought at MW, Jones Jr should be quick enough to do the job from range. Robinson and Leonard could probably do him from range as well. Hearns will beat anyone with such a porous defence imo. Charles is another one I can see doing the job.

So to answer, the worst MW I'd actually pick is Hagler. The worst man who fought at MW I'd actually pick is Hearns.

 

Toney was prone to getting outworked at middleweight, especially by a durable guy that can't be detoured by his power. Look at what Tiberi's work rate accomplished against Toney.

 

With what happened on the ropes last night, I think Toney would've countered the hell out 35 y/o Golovkin, possibly stopping him. If GGG took a different approach and forced Toney to fight in the middle of the ring, he might win.

 

It's a shame that the work of atg's like Hagler, Greb, Fitz, Monzon, etc. gets pretty much brushed away because we have people matching GGG as an atg. The dude has beaten 2 guys. Jacobs and Lemieux. Those are good names but they are still only two and it is clear that Golovkin isn't as great as everyone thinks because he only has one knockout over his best 3 opponents.

 

Which other fighter could throw the kinds of shots he was throwing, as consistently and at a pace he was doing it at? Nobody.

He's a freak, still at 35.
Somehow. Perhaps he is made of the same kind of fabric as Foreman?

 

No way. Golovkin hasn't been hurt in the ring in all these years. And Toney couldn't keep Tiberi off him in the ropes, he got swamped. Golovkin threw over 700 punches last night, he kept Canelo pinned with the jab.

 

If Canelo fought GGG Like Hearns fought Hagler...

 

Okay, so we're using Tiberi as the benchmark for James Toney's potential. That makes sense.

How about Jirvov? He was an iron chinned guy, likely 200+ on fight night, who applied educated pressure with limited head movement and got dropped by Toney.

 

I think people are talking rubbish if they believe Golovkin wasn't hurt lastnight, he wasn't badly staggered or anything but he was hurt to the head and body on a few occasions. It's pretty telling that his last two opponents have fought fire with fire in the final rounds. It pains me to say it but I don't think Golovkin is as good as I once thought. I wanted to be proven wrong lastnight after his Jacobs showing but Canelo confirmed it for me. He's a very good fighter now no doubt but these last two performances have raised questions I thought we would never get asked.

 

It makes perfect sense because we are talking about middleweight Toney, who got gifted a controversial decision over a high volume durable fighter. Why would we match Cruiser Toney against Golovkin, are you saying a more experienced Toney with a 30 pound weight advantage is what it takes to beat Golovkin? This was about MW's, man. Why am I telling you what your own thread is about?

 

Prime Toney at MW schools any version of Golovkin

 

LOL! Monzon beats Golovkin