About half a decade after I really wanted it, but hey, still: This content is protected December 28th in Saitama, Japan. Middleweight championship unification (IBF & IBO titles, second defense of each for Golovkin and WBA super title, first defense of Murata since being promoted from regular world titlist status in January). Ironically, around the same time demand for this fight was reaching a fever pitch internationally, both men suffered their first professional blemishes - and both via robbery, both in 2017 (GGG with the Canelo draw, and Murata with the "loss" to HNN). Murata would stop N'Dam N'Jikam in a rematch to claim the WBA belt, and defend it once - but GGG was pursuing his own rematch, with Canelo, ultimately losing a controversial MD. Then came another 1-1 rivalry for the Japanese fighter, with Rob Brant, before he and the Kazakh began to rebuild momentum. Then along came a novel coronavirus. Murata hasn't fought since a couple of months before the pandemic started, and Golovkin has squeezed in just the one stay-busy against Szeremeta. Now, at last, we get the 160lb slobberknocker we've long been drooling for - even if some of the luster has dulled away from when both were unbeaten and closer to prime, not mid-thirties.
+has been a pro seven years longer. And had more than double as many years and fights as Murata in the amateurs, which is crazy (Murata being an Olympian with nearly 140 bouts).
Even an older GGG still bings power as the punch is usually the last thing to go. Unless his alien chin cracks or he gets old overnight I see GGG jabbing and breaking Murata down in a less than aesthetically pleasing fight. GGG by ko somewhere after 8.
Generally older fighters are bothered by speed, quickness and movement. Murata probably can't provide those elements
Yeah, because of Covid. Japan was locked down for most of 2020, and have been very cautious in their approach to reopening with a few scale-backs even recently. That doesn't mean he wasn't in the gym (in a bubble witih members of his team) and sparring that whole time, however.
Someone needs to whisper in Muratas ear after a couple rounds have elapsed that this is a rematch. That unlocks his hidden gear, even if it's a blatant lie in this instance. Then we're guaranteed for a FOTY contender, and possibly one of the most bloody MW title fights ever.
Yeah, and GGG today is 39 y 5 months old. In December he will be older than today and will have approx 1 year ring rust, almost 40 y.o gentleman. His wiki page is interesting stuff, he really does have huge mileage under belt ( reference sources are with links and proved ) and he is " old " gentleman now. Gennady Golovkin - Wikipedia
Or...let it play out normally with him losing, then sign a rematch for early 2022 for him to go into beast mode to avenge it. And then cap off an epic trilogy with a rubber match next summer, because let's face it, they've got nothing better to do as Canelo isn't giving either of these guys the damn time of day anytime soon. (GGG more from spite than anything, since I think Canelo would be favored now despite getting two gifts over a younger GGG - and Murata simply because outside Japan he doesn't move the needle or draw much of a purse).
