Message received, Gennadiy Golovkin.
If the 38-year-old wanted to show that he was still capable of showing off some of the most masterful of boxing performances, he did it that Friday. Golovkin’s technical prowess was fully on display in a seventh round stoppage from Kamil Szeremeta in Hollywood, Florida, to defend his IBF Middleweight title.
Golovkin set the record for the most title defenses by a middleweight in boxing history (21). But more importantly to his career, he had the kind of outing that showed he’s worth taking on some of the sport’s top names, including a possible third fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
“He’s got a lot more gas in the tank,” Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn told DAZN in the post-fight interview. “The most exciting boxer in the world, still boxing. Devastating power in both hands. We want to see him in the megafights next year.”
In his first fight in 14 months, Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KO’s) knocked out Szeremeta four times in an attack that started at the start of the fight. The champion sent Szeremeta to the canvas at the end of the first lap with an uppercut followed by a left hand over the top.
From there, Golovkin overwhelmed Szeremeta (21-2-0, 5 KO’s), the mandatory challenger who only fought in the United States for the second time in his career. Golovkin’s final knockdown came from a jab in the seventh, testament to his overnight dominance.
The middleweight champion scored two knockdowns in the first three rounds for the first time since April 2016, when he knocked out Dominic Wade in the second round, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
In five of the seven rounds, Golovkin landed more power punches than jabs, according to CompuBox figures. He made contact with 56.5% of those shots.
However, the jab provided Golovkin’s big shots all night long and was an emphasis in his third fight with trainer Jhonathon Banks. Throughout most of Golovkin’s reign as a middleweight, he was known as a violent power puncher seeking knockouts. Banks tried to change that.
“They turned him into a one-trick pony,” Banks told ESPN before the fight over Golovkin’s previous trainer. That’s all he was known for, just the knockout power. But he is a beautiful boxer. He has nice movements. That’s what I wanted to go. I wanted to open Pandora’s box. ‘
After knockdowns in the first and second rounds, Golovkin remained measured with his punches. Between the seventh and eighth rounds, referee Telis Assimenios walked to Szeremeta’s corner and stopped the fight.
During his post-fight interview with DAZN, Golovkin said the late finish was by design.
“I feel my prick,” said Golovkin. “I feel my power. I feel my timing, my distance. I needed a little more time. Okay, when I’m done [in the] second round, maybe too soon. I want to bring more people to TV. “
Golovkin got into the ring for the WBC and WBA super middleweight titles about 24 hours before Alvarez fights Callum Smith in San Antonio. Ever since Golovkin started fighting on DAZN, there has been rampant speculation about a possible third fight between the two men.
The first two attacks didn’t work out between them. A match in 2017 was considered a controversial draw, while Alvarez declared a majority decision in 2018 with two points combined.
Hearn said Golovkin will dictate what’s next for his career. Golovkin made a big promise after his victory over a defeated Szeremeta.
“Trust me, guys,” said Golovkin. “We [will] bring the best fight for next time. “