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The buzz of Mayweather vs Pacquiao and 'Canelo' vs Kirkland are far gone, and the world of boxing is once again buried somewhere below the NBA Playoffs and Major League Baseball. With no marquee matchups on the horizon for another few weeks, the only action this weekend places this era's 'boogeyman', Gennady G. Golovkin (32-0, 29KO's) vs the lowly regarded Willie Monroe Jr. (19-1, 6KO's). Nicknamed the "Mongoose" because of his fighting style, Monroe Jr. enters the bout with a slim shot, as only 3 opponents out of 32 have escaped the wrath of Golovkin who remains one of the sports most dangerous punchers.
In his 20 pro fights, Monroe Jr. has never really touched the deck, but many would say that probably has a lot to do with the level of competition he has faced to reach this stage. His last two victories were perhaps his biggest, but even they stop short of any true career defining moments. The biggest name on his resume will come Saturday night when he faces Golovkin. A man who also knows the struggle of not having faced anyone the public truly endorses. One of the only true knocks on "GGG" is a resume which involves no true danger. In 32 pro fights, Golovkin has never really faced and beaten a feared puncher.
There were a few, like New York's Curtis Stevens who got the attention of many past opponents; but nothing and no one on a level that is truly celebrated. What this means for him in the future could be pretty telling, but as for Saturday night, most expect it to be another day at the office. When the bell rings, Monroe Jr. will attempt to use his skills to escape the power and pressure of Golovkin. Fans can expect to see a lot of movement, a lot of counter punching, and a lot of speed. Perhaps the only advantage Monroe Jr. will bring into the ring is a reach advantage, as his 4-inch reach advantage will definitely not go unnoticed.
Is his speed and reach, combined with his ability to box enough to get him a victory? A lot of it will come down to how well he is able to control the distance and avoid punishment. The fact that he hasn't gone down yet doesn't safely imply that he will be able to handle the wrath of Golovkin. The boxing talent that Monroe possess, as good as it is, will likely play a smaller more than his footwork and ability to create space between he and the feared puncher. If Monroe Jr. can avoid punishment, stick and move, and stay out of harm's way, he can potentially find a path to victory on the scorecards, as "GGG" is very slow, and extremely mechanical in his approach.
If Monroe Jr. can't avoid punishment first, he won't avoid the KO in the end. It will be critical of him to figure out a way to keep the distance. A few of Monroe Jr.'s past opponents have used terms like "deceptive power", and "great timing". He will need both if he is to be any type of threat when the bell rings on Saturday night. Expect Monroe Jr. to start out fast, being careful, yet busy. A heavy dose of the jab and movement will be on display as Monroe Jr. does everything within his power to avoid the same barrage of blows that has stopped 29 of 32 past opponents.
Will his talent, speed, reach, and toughness be enough? Possible, but very improbable. Golovkin is known for those now infamous 'battles of attrition'. This will be another one to add to that list. Golovkin will get timed, touched, and turned at every stop. As we've seen many times in the past, pressure burst pipes, and in the end, Monroe Jr. will simply be another one of the same. An outgunned opponent that doesn't even bare a punchers chance.
FINAL PREDICTION: Genndady G. Golovkin ("GGG") via TKO7
