Say what you want about Vanes moving up, GGG isn't a big middle. He annihilated a guy that even in losses has been a pain in the ass for everyone. He just easily destroyed him like no one had come close to doing. It's crazy that this is just dismissed as a joke.
I agree Vanes was expected to lose, but he caused everbody hell. I believe he beat Jermell and Lara in the 2nd fight.
I like GGG as much as the next guy, but Vanes was coming off a two year layoff. GGG knew Vanes was easy pickings Vanes completely let himself go and was just looking for a quick buck. GGG was rightfully criticized for fighting Vanes. Vanes had the talent to be a world champion, but he burned a lot of bridges in Los Angeles and worst of all made Edmond Tarverdyan his coach. Edmond is qualified to be a Muy Thai coach, but has no business coaching anybody on boxing and he also doesn’t have the best reputation.
Agree with what's said here. Vanes is a good boxer but he was inactive and undersized. Crushing him in 2 isn't to be ignored I suppose (had a prospect done this it would have been noteworthy) but it needs context.
Vanes is good but he was inactive and a short notice opponent while Golovkin had a full camp. Not a good win. Means nothing.
Sure it was a meaningless stand in for which he dropped a title for, the only title he won. Awful opposition. But on the other hand, he smashed him good, and you cant blame him taking a weak stand-in when the cash cow was months away.
