Let's not forget, when Felix Sturm fought somebody like Kassim Ouma, he lost the fight and was gifted a decision. Khoren Gevor. So forget about that no hoper. Pirog Golovkin NDNJ Lemoneaux got shown up as having dodgy whiskers unfortunately. Thats all we got in the locker to trouble Martinez really.
Pirog has more a chance than Golovkin of beating Martinez. The only thing Golvkin is superior to him in any way is in power. And that probably wouldnt be enough to beat Martinez. Pirog beats Golvkin if they fight, simply because he has more dimensions to him. The ability to box better, a better more varied defence etc.
I just don't see either outboxing or outpointing Martinez so I'd rather throw in the guy with the power if my life depended on it. Of course of it did, I'd be preparing the funeral arrangements either way expecting the worst. Still, I think those are the only 2 guys worth mentioning. As much as you love Sturm he's a featherfist and has a terrible (in this context) bolt upright European style that relies on being the ring general and getting that jab going. Never happening against Sergio regardless of whether Dzinziruk who is a very good southpaw practitioner of that style had fleeting moments of success.
Golovkin wasn't so much of a punch picker here but an out and out slugger, at least we know he has different gears to go into, but Ouma rarely gets completely outclassed, maybe going to war was a way of negating any close run things. As it was, I felt Ouma did the quality work in the early going, but in the last few rounds Golovkin was getting to him well, showing the ability the laay the nut in a fairly subtle manner, but also a very hurtful looking left hook to the body, which definitely stopped Ouma from punching as frequently as he had before. A good learning fight, for sure. the likes of Sturm, Rubio, JCC Jr, Njikam, Pirog will give all of those guys (not Sturm, Golovkin for one would decimate him, I'd give most of the other 'top prospects' i.e not Macklin a good chance of beating him, Gevor definitely beat him IMO and Sato was robbed as we all know) a good chance to get more seasoning before challenging Sergio, with the guy who comes out looking the best obviously being the man to challenge him. It'll have to happen seen though, if this decent middleweight division is to be anything more than Martinez-Williams 1&2 and Martinez beating up some no-hopers. So then, who next for Golovkin? Who would be a likely choice? Who would be a good next step? Who would be a feasible 'name' for the resume? (obviously the last option i the least of the three I'm interested in!) He's still definitely one to watch. If the right fights happen :-( Golovkin would beat the **** out of Chavez, might even blast him early. I still rate his chances to go further, but he's clearly quite a way from challenging Martinez.
He'd be great at 154lbs thats for sure, if that was feasible. He'd be beast strong down there, he already seems deceptively strong at middle. But I'm sure they'd have thought about that and it obviously isn't viable. Dunno who he can fight next. It's an odd division at the moment.
It is. I have a theory that in order to find a feasible challenger quick, these guys would need to fight at least two of the others in the top 10 within a year to get anywhere near enough experience, and it won't be enough IMO. Best bet is to see what happens with a couple of years for the top guys, after they've had enough time to get more seasoning, find their place and fight enough of the top guys. Some of them might have losses to Sergio and can learn from them, some might go down other routes as he takes a few 'event fights' (Margarito? 168 move? P-Dub III?) and retires in a few years anyway. Theirs attractive belt options out there in Sturm, Pirog and Chavez for the guys loitering around 5-15 and guys established as JMWs (P-Dub, Angulo for instance) for them to be able to serve Martinez and make their own path. I must also come straight out and say whilst Martinez is class, and has had a good run of quality wins, he doesn't look to be one of those truly super formidable fighters IMO (though he looks more than capable then taking on the fighters I've mentioned in these last few posts, as does P-Dub IMO). ****in' class no doubt, but in terms of middleweight greats he doesn't give me a hard on. Maybe he will by the time all is said and done, as I said before, if the right fights happen.
How do we know that Golovkin has different gears to go into at a higher level? The bottom line is that Ouma is far and away the best opponent of his career, even if he is faded. And from what Ive heard he struggled with him. Golvkin might look impressive against lower level oppnents but this was probably a slight step up for him and he failed to look impressive. This to me is proof that the better the opponents he fights, the more limited he will look. I dont think Pirog beats Martinez either, but he has a better chance than Golovkin. I said a few days ago that basically no middlweight around today can beat Martinez and its true. As for Strum, I dotn even like him, I just think he gets slagged on here more than he should because of some close decision wins and the level of competition he's been facing for the majority of the last 4 or 5 years. I think hes a slightly better fighter than people give him credit for. I dont think he stands a great chance against Martinez, the same as Pirog or Golovkin dont have a big chance, but he is a decent fighter, when at his best of course.
Sturm deserves to be slated when he not only camps at home fighting cherrypicked opponents for the most part but he also receives a gift decision along the way. That ain't right. He's also a completely uninspiring fighter that will fold under heat.
This is where you argument falls down mate, I've seen the fight. Also, I think my posts say exactly what you're saying, So don't know why you're dragging me into it. In fact, I suggested that Sergio won't lose to any of 'em any time soon :good As for Sturm, Gevor beat him and he fights **** opposition. He's in the top five based on consistency and the fact holding a strap for quite a while can still sway even the most hardened of boxing fans.
Wasn't N'dam N'jikam required to fight Golovkin this year? That fight should happen. Hassan is the interim champ and GGG is the full champ, no reason why it shouldn't come off, unless the Jikam man doesn't fancy it. Golovkin would TKO him IMO.