Fight Pick & Preview – Golovkin vs. Murray:
Heavy handed middleweight action returns to Monaco at the end of February when fan-favorite Gennady Golovkin defends his middleweight titles (one genuine, one fake) against British contender Martin Murray. This is a solid match up for both fighters and for fight fans. Golovkin’s dreaded power makes him one of the most-ducked guys in the sport, so taking on a fighter of Murray’s caliber is a boon for advancing his career.
For Murray’s part, he has been on the comeback trail since his defeat two years ago at the hands of Sergio Martinez. As Murray’s criminal record has thus far blocked his access to a U.S. visa and fighting in America, his options for big fights are correspondingly limited.
As for the fans, this bout pits two world class, all-action guys who are eager to fight against each other. These are the #1 and #2 160 lbs contenders in the world. When is a fight like this ever a bad thing?
Martin Murray (29-1, 12 KOs)
- 6’0″ tall, 73″ reach, 32 years old
- British
- Former British and Commonwealth middleweight champion
Martin Murray is a polished swarmer, and I say “polished” because he is far from a mere crude brawler. Still, the blueprint for how he wins fights is the same. He likes to go forward and rely on a high work rate and his durability to win fights.
Two years ago Murray was able to match Sergio Martinez, also a very busy fighter, for work rate for several rounds of their fight, and he proved tough enough to take the Argentine champion’s sting. Most observers thought he roughed up Feliz Sturm as well, only to be held to a Split Draw by the (predictably stinky) German judging.
Gennady Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs)
- 5’10 1/2″ tall, 70″ reach, 32 years old
- Kazakh living in Germany
- Current WBA middleweight titlist
Just as Murray is a polished swarmer, Golovkin is a polished puncher, with a technique based on a sterling amateur pedigree. He also likes going aggressively forward and keeping on the pressure, but that pressure is based on savage punching rather than sheer output.
Golovkin’s speed and tremendous power has led to a reversal of the usual trend for fighters, in that he hasn’t had a fight go to the final bell in six years. Often a fighter’s knockout percentage starts to decline after reaching the big time and better opponents, but Golovkin is flattening guys with even greater reliability.
Golovkin vs. Murray Fight Analysis
Murray will present an interesting challenge for Golovkin, because he can take a punch on both the chin and to the body. Unlike all of GGG’s recent opponents, the Briton won’t simply fold up like a cheap newspaper upon tasting his power.
That said, Murray’s approach is tailor-made for Golovkin, and he doesn’t seem to have a substantial back-up style or a slick, native adaptability. Although Murray won’t fold upon meeting Golovkin, he lacks the power necessary to deter the Kazakh slugger. That means exchanges with steeply uneven results, and it’s Murray who is going to be ground down.
Golovkin vs. Murray Prediction
Gennady Golovkin TKO9 Martin Murray
