Message received, Gennadiy Golovkin.
If the 38-year-old wanted to show that he was able to show some of the most masterful shows in boxing, he did it on Friday. Golovkin’s technical skills were fully displayed in a stoppage victory in the seventh round over Kamil Szeremeta, in Hollywood, Florida, to defend his IBF middleweight title.
Golovkin set the record for most defenses in the title by a middleweight in boxing history (21). But more importantly, for his career, he had the kind of exit that showed that he is worthy of facing some of the most important names in the sport, including a third potential fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
“He has a lot more gas in the tank,” Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn told DAZN in a post-fight interview. “The most exciting boxer in the world of boxing yet. Devastating power in both hands. We want to see him in megafights next year.”
In his first fight in 14 months, Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs) shot Szeremeta four times in an attack that began early in the fight. The champion sent Szeremeta on the canvas at the end of the first round, with an uppercut followed by a left hand over it.
From there, Golovkin overwhelmed Szeremeta (21-2-0, 5 KOs), the obligatory challenger who fought in the United States only for the second time in his career. Golovkin’s last shot came from a shot in the seventh, a testament to his dominance throughout the night.
The middleweight champion scored two knockdowns in the first three rounds for the first time since April 2016, when he eliminated Dominic Wade in the second round, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
In five of the seven rounds, Golovkin got more power shots than shots, according to CompuBox numbers. He connected to 56.5% of those photos.
However, the jab set Golovkin’s big shots throughout the night and was a focal point in the third fight with coach Jhonathon Banks. For most of Golovkin’s reign as middle, he was known as a violent punch that sought elimination. Banks have sought to change this.
“They turned him into a pony with one trick,” Banks told ESPN before the fight over Golovkin’s former coach. “That’s what he was known for, it’s just the knockout power. But he’s a nice boxer. He has nice moves. That’s what I wanted to go. I wanted to open the Pandora’s box back.”
After eliminations in the first and second rounds, Golovkin was measured with his fists. Between the seventh and eighth rounds, referee Telis Assimenios went to Szeremeta’s corner and stopped the attack.
During his post-fight interview with DAZN, Golovkin said the late completion was by design.
“I can feel my foot,” Golovkin said. “I feel my strength. I feel my time, my distance. I needed a little more time. OK, if I finish [in the] second round, maybe too early. I want to bring more people to TV. “
Golovkin entered the ring about 24 hours before Alvarez battled Callum Smith in San Antonio for the WBC and WBA super-middleweight titles. Ever since Golovkin started fighting on DAZN, there has been rampant speculation about a potential third fight between the two men.
The first two fights were settled a little between them. A fight in 2017 was considered a controversial draw, while Alvarez pulled out a majority decision in 2018 with two points combined.
Hearn said Golovkin will dictate what follows for his career. Golovkin promised something great after winning the stop over an outdated Szeremeta.
“Believe me, boys,” Golovkin said. “We [will] brings the best fight for next time “.