Kazakh superstar unified middleweight world champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, (34-0, 31 KO’s) returns to the ring when he takes on undefeated mandatory contender Dominic “Lights Out” Wade (18-0, 12 KO’s) of Maryland. Golovkin vs. Wade takes place this Saturday April 23 at the Forum of Los Angeles in Inglewood, California live on HBO World Championship Boxing. We caught up with "GGG" as he talked about his camp and his upcoming fight this Saturday with Wade.
"I am very excited, this is my second home and fighting at the Forum I know what it means there is fans there that are there for boxing and are true fans," Gennady "GGG" Golovkin told Southern California Boxing.com
Golovkin held training camp at his trainer Abel Sanchez's Summit headquarters in Big Bear, California. Where he has found comfort training in the high altitude mountains of Southern California since arriving to the U.S. as he prepared for Wade.
"Camp has gone very well yesterday was my last day, today I am relaxing and enjoying my time," Golovkin said "I am focused and ready,"Golovkin added.
"We have had a little more time than normal so he came in for nine weeks its usually eight weeks but because we had six months off we decided to train a little more, it went well, and he is just anxious to get back in the ring," Golovkin's trainer Abel Sanchez told Southern California Boxing.com
Coming off a spectacular TKO over power punching Canadian David Lemieux last October in Madison Square Garden . Golovkin won the IBF title in unifying the WBC Interim, WBA, and IBF titles. Prior to that fight Golovkin stopped previously unbeaten Willie Monroe at the Forum last year forcing him to say, "I'm done."
"Every fight is a big test for me I remember the fight with Willie, he had a difficult style but after the second round when I hit him with a left hook I felt him change," Golovkin said. "Lemieux fight I expected more drama but it was a good win," Golovkin added.
His undefeated counterpart Wade, is coming off his biggest win of his 18 fight career, winning a split decision over former world champion Sam "King" Soliman last June. Ranked third by the IBF and eighth by the WBC, Golovkin and his trainer Abel Sanchez spoke about his counterpart Wade and what he poses.
"I saw a couple of Wade's fights, he is not easy and is a smart guy and good boxer," Golovkin said. "Everybody has a chance I think its a good fight for us he is hungry for me this his dream fight," Golovkin added.
"I followed him as an amateur, I know he has skills and he had a good amateur career. His pro career has not gone as fast as he had hoped but he has some great coaches. He is undefeated, for us we have not seen much on video but he has the opportunity everyone hopes for, he is fighting the number one middleweight and he will come in ready," Sanchez said.
A win over Wade, Golovkin has one goal in mind and that is to become the lineal WBC middleweight champion as that title is held by Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Canelo will be taking on Amir Khan in two weeks, Golovkin made it clear he wants the title.
"My dream is to win all four belts, if you want to be number one you have to win all the belts," Golovkin said. "Winning the WBC title is more important, it doesn't matter who the champion is. Everyone says for me to fight Canelo but it doesn't matter who the champion is, I want to win all four belts," Golovkin added.
With fans demanding a mega fight with Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, that fight would have to definitely be held in an outdoor arena. As Golovkin has proven to be an attraction having fought and overfilled the tennis arena at the Stub Hub Center , selling out both the LA Forum and New York 's Madison Square Garden. Canelo also speaks for himself as last year he sold out Houston Astros Minute Maid Park . Don't rule out Southern California's Stub Hub soccer stadium, Dodgers Stadium, and AT&T Stadium also known as Jerry's World in Dallas/Arlington, Texas for potential sites to host.
"I think Dodger Stadium, AT&T Stadium, will be a nice place for us," Golovkin added. "For me that is the least important, it will be more important to get that fight. I want the fight with Canelo in Dodger Stadium of course but maybe better in AT&T Stadium in Dallas, or Vegas," Golovkin added.
"Dodger Stadium would be a venue that is interested in hosting him. Jerry Jones invited him to specifically talk about a future fight potentially with Canelo. Canelo is fighting Khan at T-Mobile in Vegas," K2 Promotions Tom Loeffler said. "If that fight happens there will be a huge demand wherever it happens including Madison Square Garden," Loeffler added.
Already becoming a superstar last year saw great things from Golovkin as he appeared on an Apple commercial and just last week he signed an endorsement deal with Jordan becoming another elite athlete to join the Jordan brand which also includes celebrities, movie director Spike Lee, rapper Drake, superstar athletes former Yankee Derek Jeter, former NFL great Charles Woodson, NBA Basktball player Carmelo Anthony, and undefeated super middleweight Andre Ward.
"Its great, Jordan is an amazing company and family. I am honored to have an endorsement with the Jordan family," Golovkin said. I am very excited, for me this is the best brand. All the best athletes, the best players, and names, all the best NBA players and athletes play with Jordan shoes, this is an amazing time for me," Golovkin added.
Golovkin kicked off fight week as he took the hill Sunday night at Dodgers Stadium as he threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants game. Golovkin met with 5- time All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and former Dodgers manager Hall-of-Famer Tommy Lasorda.
"This is amazing and great. This is my home, its my third time here at Dodger Stadium. This is my team and my fans," Golovkin said.
"We have had a great fight week so far. Gennady threw out the first pitch Sunday night at Dodgers Stadium. He had a great media tour Monday at ESPN Sports Center, TMZ, and today he was on KTLA Morning News so he is really making his rounds. He understands the obligation of not only promoting himself but his image," Tom Loeffler said. "We have had a great fan reaction, Los Angeles fans wanted to see him back at the Forum," Loeffler added.
Now the focus is Wade, with camp wrapped up Golovkin looks like lean and chiseled middleweight looking to make a statement Saturday night. Golovkin vs. Wade will be a scheduled 12 round championship fight for Golovkin's WBC interim, WBA, and IBF middleweight title.
"This is boxing, I come here to fight and that's what the fans want to see," Golovkin said.
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