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Boxing still alive in the age of GGG

May 21, 2015

Gennady Golovkin, of Kazakhstan, poses after defeating Willie Monroe Jr. in a middleweight boxingbout, Saturday, May 16, 2015, in Inglewood, Calif. Golovkin won when the fight was stopped in the sixth round. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

By Brian Han

The idea that boxing may be on its decline was nowhere to be found at The Forum Saturday as WBC middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin defended his title against contender Willie Monroe Jr.

Amidst the 12,372 roaring fans, the half Korean half Russian boxer from Kazakhstan proved once again why he’s one of the world’s best after winning by technical knockout in the sixth round.

In a match that would have made Floyd Mayweather Jr. blush, the two fighters gave an opening round effort that did not disappoint a single fan at the venue.

And many fans would agree.

“That guy knows how to get a crowd going,” Lena Morales, 29, said. “Monroe landed a few decent punches, but when [Golovkin] smiled back after and asked for more, my girlfriends and I just lost it. He’s so cute.”

Morales explained that the sport is thriving despite arguments stating otherwise.

“To those people who say that boxing is dying off, they can’t appreciate a guy like GGG,” she said. “If one of them would come to a fight like this, they would change their minds instantly. I’ll tell you that much.”

Granted the half Korean half Russian champion held entertainment paramount for the night and even admitted to sportscaster Max Kellerman that he purposefully extended the fight as “a present” to those watching.

“Any fight with GGG is the one I’m most excited about,” Aldo Fuentes, 33, said. “The Mayweather-Pacman fight may have had more hype, but GGG is the real deal.”

His brother Rey, 34, seemed to be in anticipation of a particular match up.

“Really, who is Monroe?” he said. “After tonight he’s going to be forgotten. What I really want to see is Canelo [Alvarez] in the ring with GGG. Now that’s a fight.”

Golovkin showed so much confidence that it almost bordered on arrogance and he made it known that he was ready to take on anyone in the ring after the match had ended.

He called out former-WBC Light Middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez saying that he was “ready to fight him now,” which turned out to be exactly what the crowd wanted to hear.

Golovkin remains undefeated at 33-0 with 30 KOs and an ongoing 20 KO streak.