Gennady “GGG” Golovkin

Gennady Gennadyevich Golovkin, often known by his nickname “GGG” or “Triple G”, is a Kazakhstani professional boxer.

He is a two-time middleweight world champion, having held the IBF and IBO titles since 2019.

He previously held the unified WBA (Super), WBC, IBF and IBO titles between 2014 and 2018. Also, was ranked as the world’s best boxer; pound for pound, from September 2017 to September 2018 by The Ring magazine.

As of November 2021, he is ranked as the world’s second-best active boxer; pound for pound, by BoxRec, and ninth by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB).

He is also ranked as the world’s best active middleweight by BoxRec,The Ring, and TBRB, and second by ESPN.

A calculating pressure fighter, Golovkin is known for his exceptionally powerful and precise punching, balance, and methodical movement inside the ring.

With a streak of 23 knockouts that spanned from 2008 to 2017; he holds the highest knockout-to-win ratio – 89.7% – in middleweight championship history.

Golovkin is also said to have one of the most durable chins in boxing history; having never been knocked down or otherwise stopped in a total of 393 fights, 43 as a professional and 350 as an amateur.

Boxing Profile – Gennady Golovkin – Most Recent Matches

GGG vs. Alvarez

16 September 2017, with the T-Mobile Arena as the venue of the fight. It would mark the first time Golovkin would fight in Nevada. 

On fight night, in front of a sold out crowd of 22,358, Golovkin and Álvarez fought to a split draw (118–110 Álvarez, 115–113 Golovkin, and 114–114).

Judge Adalaide Byrd’s scorecard of 118–110 in favor of Álvarez was widely ridiculed.

Many observers felt that Golovkin had won a closely contested fight; while a draw was justifiable, a card that wide in favor of Álvarez was inexcusable.

The fight surpassed Mayweather-Álvarez to achieve the third highest gate in boxing history.

GGG vs. Martirosyan

Scheduled for May 5th, Golovkin was going to take the challenger Martirosyan in a fight; after multiple opponents dropped out of the oportunity.

On 27 April, the IBF agreed to sanction the bout as long as Golovkin would make a mandatory defence against Derevyanchenko by 3 August 2018.

On fight night, in front of 7,837 fans, Golovkin knocked Martirosyan out in round 2.

Golovkin applied pressure immediately backing Martirosyan against the ropes and landing his jab.

GGG vs. Alvarez II

On September 15th, 2018, the rematch took place and in front of a sell out crowd of 21,965, the fight was again not without controversy as Álvarez defeated Golovkin via majority decision after 12 rounds.

Álvarez was favored by judges Dave Moretti and Steve Weisfeld, both scoring the bout 115–113, the third judge Glenn Feldman scored it 114–114.

The result was disputed by fans, pundits and media. Of the 18 media outlets scoring the bout, 10 ruled in favor of Golovkin, 7 scored a draw, while 1 scored the bout for Álvarez.

The scorecards showed how close the bout was, with the judges splitting eight rounds.

After 9 rounds, all three judges had their scores reading 87–84 for Álvarez.

The fight was much different to the first bout in terms of action. Álvarez, who was described by Golovkin’s team as a ‘runner’, altered his style and became more aggressive.

Both boxers found use of their respective jabs from the opening round with Golovkin using his jab more as the fight went on.

Big punches were landed by both fighters during the bout, with both Álvarez and Golovkin showing excellent chins.

Despite the tense build up, both boxers showed each other respect after the fight.

GGG vs. Rolls

On 16 April, Golovkin announced he would fight 35 year old Canadian boxer Steve Rolls (19-0, 10 KOs) on 8 June 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York at a catchweight of 164 pounds.

There was an announced crowd of 12,357 in attendance. Golovkin won the bout via knockout in round 4.

Golovkin landed a shot to the temple on Rolls, the same shot he knocked out Marco Antonio Rubio, causing Rolls to cover up.

With Golovkin’s continued attack against the ropes, he landed a left hook to Rolls‘ chin, dropping Rolls face first on to the canvas.

Rolls tried to beat the count, but ultimately fell towards the ropes.

Referee Steve Willis stopped the bout at 2 minutes and 9 seconds into round 4, declaring Golovkin the winner. 

GGG vs. Derevyanchenko

On 5 October 2019, Golovkin defeated Ukrainian Sergiy Derevyanchenko by unanimous decision for the vacant IBF and IBO middleweight titles at Madison Square Garden, New York.

GGG vs. Szeremeta

Golovkin faced mandatory IBF challenger Kamil Szeremeta on 18 December 2020.

Quickly establishing his powerful jab, Golovkin dropped Szeremeta to the canvas at the end of the first round from an uppercut followed by a left hand.

Golovkin scored another knockdown in round two from a right hand followed by two more knockdowns in rounds four and seven.

Between rounds seven and eight, the referee walked to Szeremeta’s corner and stopped the bout.