Golovkin: Ward turned down fight three times!
cookies. More information
Menu
City A.M.
Share
FTSE 100 6585.78 -0.67%
SPORT
Gennady Golovkin interview: "Mayweather or Froch would be the best next fight...Ward turned down a fight three times"
by Joe Hall
3 July 2015 5:10pm
Dapper destruction: Golovkin is involved in fashion outside of the ring (Source: Getty)
Gennady Golovkin isn't fussy about who he fights next. He's not bothered about embarking on a weight-loss regime to move down a division or piling on the pounds to move up.
He just wants a fight. The Kazakh destroyer hasn't had many recently. Not that he hasn't been in the ring - it's just that Golovkin's bouts would be better described as demolitions rather than anything resembling an evenly matched contest.
There currently isn't a more terrifying sight for a boxer to see staring back at him in the ring than Golovkin's goofy grin. He was won all 33 of his professional fights and 30 of those - a staggering 91 per cent - by way of knockout.
Unsurprisingly, the big names have all been touted for a potential mega-fight with one of HBO's hottest properties. Even less surprisingly, not many potential opponents are chomping at the bit to trade blows with a man who has stopped 19 opponents in a row.
We caught up with the middleweight to talk about potential fights with Carl Froch, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Andre Ward and Canelo Alvarez and what he's doing to fill his time while he waits for his next challenger.
Read more: Who is the best boxer of all time?
City A.M.: If you could fight any current active fighter in the world to fight right now, whom would you pick?
I will fight anyone my weight or even the weight above and below. Floyd Mayweather or Carl Froch would probably be the best fights for me now. Floyd the weight below and Carl the weight above. Both seem to be making excuses not to fight me unfortunately. At middleweight, the winner of Canelo v Cotto would be biggest.
Which would be the most entertaining match-up?
Maybe Froch. He is a warrior and it would be explosive. There would be a knock-out.
If you had to move weight classes would moving up to super middleweight be your preferred choice? There are lots of great contenders in and around light-middleweight. And would you like to fight in the UK, would you expect UK fans to take to you?
I am happy to fight anyone between 154 and 168. Maybe Froch realizes what would happen. I would love to fight Carl. I have said yes to the fight and my promoters have made clear to the Froch team and Eddie Hearn that I am happy to fight Carl in England.
The UK boxing fans are great. Martin Murray had a good crowd in Monaco too. Let us see if Carl backs up his words with action.
You mentioned a future fight with Canelo would be huge - it's a Mexican superstar vs a self-proclaimed Mexican style fighter. What do you make of his recent performances?
I have sparred Canelo in the past. He is a nice guy. His last fight was a good performance. I hope to fight him.
How about Andre Ward's claims that your team is "making excuses" not to fight him?
Andre Ward turned down a fight with me three times to HBO! He knows the truth and only excuses are from him. He even avoided me in Olympics by changing weight. Maybe he heard I would fight at 168!
Rest of article interview
Gennady Golovkin interview: "Mayweather or Froch would be the best next fight...Ward turned down a fight three times" | City A.M.