Gennady Golovkin is hoping his outstanding 2013 can push him to even greater heights in the new year by beating the biggest names in the middleweight division.
The unbeaten Kazakhstani assassin has become one of boxing’s most feared punchers after brutally blasting his way past all four challengers last year to amass a record of 28 wins with 25 knockouts.
The 31-year-old will be looking for much of the same when he steps back into the ring this Saturday night in Monte Carlo when he defends his WBA middleweight world title against Ghanaian contender Osumanu Adama.
Though Golovkin has his eyes on bigger prizes, he refuses to overlook the tricky Adama:
“It’s going to be a great fight. It’s a new year but I think it’s going to be the same like last year – a great year – with lots of great fights starting with Saturday night. I’m ready.
“I’ve seen Adama and he’s a strong guy and it’s not an easy fight for me. This is boxing, it’s a serious business, it’s not a game, so I take every fight very seriously.
“He’s hungry, he has good motivation for this fight, he’s a good athlete and is a strong guy. It’s a great opportunity for him but also for me.”
Adama, who brings a record of 22 wins, 16 by way of knockout, and only three defeats, is confident that he can stun the boxing world by beating Golovkin.
The 33-year-old is sure his speed and power will pose new problems to the unrelenting Kazakh:
“I’m prepared for this fight. I was born for fights like this and I’m ready to fight anyone in the world. Now is the time to fight Golovkin.
“The fighters he’s fought in the past haven’t had the speed and power that I’ve got. I’m a very powerful fighter and I’ve been in with some very good boxers. All African’s are willing me on and I’ll have a lot of fans coming to Monte Carlo to support me.
“If you want to be the best you have to fight the best. He’s the best up and coming middleweight but I also feel like I’m the best – every boxer feels like they’re the best. I will be the first person to beat Gennady Golovkin.”
Should Golovkin come through the fight victorious he has plans to set up some of the biggest fights possible in 2014.
Tom Loeffler, Golovkin’s promoter, has his eyes on a potential superfight with Argentine kingpin and reigning WBC middleweight world champion Sergio Martinez, with WBO champion Peter Quillin also a name being mooted.
“We can offer significant purses for somebody to fight Gennady. He’s crossed that barrier where everybody knows who he is now. The finances on his fights are there, where there are big fights,” said Loeffler.
“We would love to make a unification fight at some point down the road, if the politics can get worked out. It would be a great fight with Peter Quillin, who’s also an undefeated champion but Sergio Martinez would certainly be at the top of the list,” he said.
“In order to prove you’re the best you have to fight the best and that’s where we think Gennady’s the best and obviously Sergio and his promoters and handlers think he’s the best and that’s the only way to find out,” Loeffler stated.
