Opinion: Gennady Golovkin, Roman Gonzalez and the Best of Both Worlds

---

Editor's note: The views & opinions expressed below are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sherdog.com, its affiliates and sponsors or its parent company, Evolve Media.

If Saturday was any indication, the Gennady Golovkin-Roman Gonzalez “Wrecking the World” tour could become the biggest thing in boxing.

A crowd of 20,548 rabid fans crammed into Madison Square Garden in New York to witness two of the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the sport perform controlled demolitions of their opponents; and judging by some early indicators, the pay-per-view numbers should also exceed expectations. It was the second time the Golovkin and Gonzalez have shared space on a card, and the results have been promising. The reasons why it works might be more interesting than anything else and were on full display for the dynamic duo’s first pay-per-view.

Golovkin’s rise has been one of the best stories in boxing. The man with a youthful smile and dynamite in both of his hands has been rolling over opponents with alarming frequency. After he made his stateside debut in 2012, K2 Promotions has done an excellent job of showcasing his talents on both coasts and building a fan base that enjoys watching the brand of violence “GGG” brings to the ring with him. What took place against David Lemieux on Saturday -- when he became Golovkin’s 21st consecutive knockout victim -- was a mere formality to many. However, what was impressive was how it happened. Rather than be a violent slugger who pounds his opponents into dust, Golovkin showcased an amateur pedigree that helped him earn a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics. He prodded Lemieux with his jab and used superior footwork to stay just out of his rugged Canadian opponent’s range. Throughout the eight-round affair, Golovkin systematically broke down Lemieux behind the stiff jab, intestine-shifting body punching and a wicked left hook.

By the time referee Steve Willis rescued Lemieux from further punishment in the eighth round, fight fans had witnessed all they needed to see to know Golovkin is a scary guy. For all the humility he displays, the way he leaves his foes in a battered heap is a thing of volatile beauty. He’s easily the antithesis to Floyd Mayweather Jr., who prides himself on superior defense to outsmart his opponents. Golovkin just wants to beat your brains out. However, as special as “GGG” is, he’s not the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, much less this card.

Golovkin’s touring buddy happens to be the recognized successor to Mayweather’s throne and comes in a fun size that might get him mistaken for a sixth-grader. Gonzalez is the WBC and The Ring flyweight champion, having amassed a record of 44-0 with 38 knockouts. As great as Gonzalez has been, the vast majority of casual fans hadn’t seen him beat the brakes off of his opponents until just recently, when he was the co-featured bout on Golovkin’s last card against Edgar Sosa; and for those who got their first eyeful of the Nicaraguan known as “Chocolatito,” the abuse he administered to Sosa in a second-round TKO was certainly eyebrow-raising.

Considering that Gonzalez fights in one of the less-attractive divisions in boxing, doesn’t speak a lick of English and has fought a majority of his career outside of the United States, having someone like “GGG” as a running mate will be the best way to raise his profile.

It’s a brilliant strategy that looks like it will continue to pay off for as long as the two remained linked together. When Gonzalez entered the ring at MSG to face Brian Viloria, you might have thought he was the main event, as the sold-out crowd cheered for the 28-year-old that mercilessly pounds on his foes. Viloria was no different. Although “Hawaiian Punch” put in a spirited effort, it was evident that Gonzalez was of another class, as he blistered Viloria with brain-racking combinations and a lethal chop of a right hand. Nine rounds of punishment were more than enough to prove why he belongs at the top of the pound-for-pound list. Perhaps of more significance is the fact that Gonzalez will likely run right past Mayweather’s 49-0 record without blinking.

What “Chocolatito” lacks in public profile, Golovkin gives to him in spades while being featured on his card; and if for some strange reason a “GGG” fight isn’t exciting, rest assured that Gonzalez will be there to save the day. There’s nothing about his style that suggests that he’s remotely interested in hearing what the judges have to say about his fights.

Conceptually, they are like that ill-fated Jay Z and R. Kelly tour that was expected to take the industry by storm until egos and pepper spray derailed the arrangement. “GGG” and “Chocolatito” are different. Hopefully we never have to hear about Gonzalez feeling like he’s being disrespected or the two feuding backstage before their respective fights, because this union is a match made in heaven for boxing fans. Boxing has always had a problem bringing eyeballs to the sport for anything but the main event, but with Gonzalez being the best fighter on the planet and “GGG” hot on his heels, there’s no reason why anyone wouldn’t watch the co-main event -- if for nothing else than to witness two fighters with destructive tendencies seek to one up each other every time out.

Theirs is a lethal combination: a Kazak fighter with a disarming smile and enough wallop in one punch to have you reconsidering your life and a pint-sized Nicaraguan who makes every opponent think about how his words will be coming out of his mouth five years from now. Hopefully, it won’t be disbanded anytime soon. It is truly the best of both worlds.

Andreas Hale is a content producer for Jay Z’s LifeandTimes.com and editor-in-chief of PremierWuzHere.com, as well as a frequent Sherdog.com columnist. Check out his archive here.