Gennady Golovkin believes his unification clash with David Lemieux will rank alongside some of the middleweight divisions best ever. The Kazakh assassin meets Canada’s champion Lemieux this Saturday night at the iconic Madison Square Garden, live on BoxNation in the UK, and on HBO pay-per-view in the US
The showdown pits together two of the world’s biggest punchers, who average a near 90% knockout ratio between them, with the electrifying Golovkin saying that the clash will be an all-action affair to follow the great battles of the past.
“This is a true fight, an original fight. It’s going to be a present for people. Boxing isn’t a game; it’s very important who the true number one is. This is my big test and my first step to history and to a new story.
“This is my first unification fight and my first pay-per-view fight. It’s about being a true warrior and not just a business man. I love to fight, it’s that simple. I’m looking to knock him out.
“I’m more motivated than ever because it’s a unification fight and a pay-per-view. I keep saying it’s an ‘old school’ fight because this will be a classic fight.
“It’s like a long time ago when Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard all fought; it will be in this same style.
“I know I’m 33 years old but I feel like I’m 22 years old. I didn’t feel any pressure to get these big fights but I know every step is bigger and I know Lemieux is a strong guy, a dangerous guy. Everyone knows my style and it’s a very interesting fight for the fans and for television.
“Madison Square Garden is my second home. It’s very important and special that the fight is sold out. People in the United States understand my style and that’s amazing for me.
“I really appreciate the support of the fans. Madison Square Garden is a very special place with a great history so it’s an honor to fight in front of these fans.
“It’s a very interesting first step for me and Lemieux to see who goes onto the next step to prove who the best in the middleweight division is.
“There are three or four top pay-per-view fighters – we’re all in the same situation. Maybe the next step for me will be the winner of Cotto or Canelo, Andy Lee or Saunders, or Jacobs and Quillin. It’s a very interesting situation and this is only the first step.”
