What I noticed: Murray started out well by disrupting GGG's distance and rhythm by shelling up when GG bounced forward. Then Murray would burst forward once GGG started to sit down and power through his gaurd. Initially the shell - burst - clinch was working to thwart GGG, but then GGG started hopping back and torquing the uppercut between Murrays elbows and catching him. Murrays next adjustment was to counter the left uppercut with a big hard right hook after lunging forward in the shell and he almost GOT him a few times but GGG was quick to adjust with the shoulder roll and then later just started shooting his left jab under it and deflected it above his shoulder. Once the fight wore on GGG was just blocking it with his wrist as Murray stopped commiting to big punches which would leave his gut open. Golovkin of course set up the body shots next and the fight was essentially over once he got in. Murray didn't give up by any means but, he was forced to just shell up, because GGG wasn't letting him land more than one shot at a time before returning multiple hard shots. Murray couldn't get back behind his paws fast enough. Towards the end It looked like Murray might survive behind his shell, but Golovkin put his nose right in the strike zone with his hands down as a carrot for Murray, and Murray had to hook him with those can't miss shots, but at this point he was leaning back on the ropes with no leverage and Golovkin's trap opened him up for the stoppage shots and he got his 19th consecutive stoppage. Great fight by two very clever boxers, with the victorious one proving too physical despite his smaller stature and lesser reach. Unfortunately, Murray didn't have the footwork to get out of the firing line, and his shield was not strong enough, nor his sword big enough to survive Genghis Khan, I mean Gennady Golovkin.
Not a bad writeup. One really key aspect you left out was the early clinching game. Murray started out with a plan to smother and clinch, and rough Golovkin up a bit with some physicality. Not a bad plan and he had some early success with it. The key thing to watch is how Golovkin dealt with this. He actually got that mouse on his left eye in a clinch early, because Murray was initially controlling the clinch and had the leverage with his head under Golovkin. He was doing a good job with it, getting some shots off then moving inside out of danger. If you pay close attention though, where in first and early second round Murray had the leverage - by the 3rd and 4th rounds you will notice that Golovkin suddenly was lower in the clinch and it was his forehead that was pushing on Murray's face. Golovkin started pushing him around, and roughing him up. This was not accidental or just "how it happened" it was quite deliberate. He also was able to start timing it, and dancing back a step or a half step and punching while Murray tried a clinch. If Murray ducked too low, he would steer his head or grapple his neck if he bull rushed. This kept him from getting roughed up, sapped more of Murrays stamina and got a quick break. Seeing how Golovkin was able to adjust to and handle the inside roughhouse and grappling game was the most interesting part of the fight IMO.
Good point, I've noticed in every GGG fight guys give up the clinch game pretty quick, you've explained why that is very well.
Good posts and an-al-ysis, fellas. Along with being superbly fit, GGG's amateur experience was obvious. And his approach and work rate reminded me of Joe Calzaghe (the Marquees of Queensbury's one true messenger, may HOF greatness be upon him). There's a fight I would have loved to have seen. Golovkin trying to outwork Calzaghe.
Ward would have a very tough time looking good against GGG, I don't know how he would do it, but remember - Ward hasn't lost a fight since he was 12yrs old.
Good observations in posts #1 and #2. How GGG dealt with Murrays attempts to clinch him was one of the most exciting things I saw in the fight. Makes me believe he would have a real chance against Andre Ward.
Here is the video of Golovkin explaining some of his techniques which we have seen in the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C09zhm9RDAc
The biggest challenge I see for any fighter is Gennady's footwork. His gloves are conducting an amazing offense but his feet are playing hi pressure chess the whole time. People say Golovkin has no defense, but he really puts himself in a position where he doesn't face any type of effective offense. He has leverage, and the other guy doesn't, all they can do is trade their rooks for pawns and try to run around the board, but his pieces are always in a better position and that's why he is the one controlling the ring and doing the damage.
There is/was actually a "training video" on YouTube of GGG showing another boxer how to use your own head to control your opponents head in close. Basically it involved a technique whereby you get your forehead under his chin and hold him at bay with your head. I recognised GGG using this exact technique against Murray.
I also saw him do that to Rosado. Basically that get pushes the opponent where you want him to be and then you unleash your shots
