Should Gennady Golovkin accept Andre Ward’s challenge?
By Liam McInerney
Undefeated Andre Ward has confirmed he would stay in the Super-middleweight division in order to fight knock out artist Gennady Golovkin.
A contest at 168 pounds is being suggested despite Golovkin competing at the 160 pound middleweight limit. Apparently Ward (28-0, 15 Kos) isn’t willing to compromise and fight at a catch-weight of 164. Already the negotiating factors seem to be in Ward’s favour.
GGG (33-0, 30 KOs) is famous for calling out big names. He consistently mentions dropping to Junior-middleweight to fight pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather and the Kazakhstani was willing to fight at Super-Middleweight to challenge Carl Froch.
But remaining at middleweight could be an intelligent move for Golovkin and here’s why.
New IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux (34-2, 31 KOs) and his promotors Golden Boy are discussing a unification bout with Golovkin.
Canadian Lemieux is a heavy hitter and would make a meeting with Golovkin an exciting one for fans who like to see brutality in the ring. And if Golovkin was to be victorious, he would hold two world title belts, improving his legacy even more.
GGG would then be eyeing the winner of Saúl Álvarez and Miguel Cotto in what would be an incredible match-up. It would prove who is the greatest middleweight of this era.
Maybe then he can move up to face Ward. Although by that stage Ward might be a Light-heavyweight and focused on the likes of Sergey Kovalev.
But whether Golovkin decides to step up for a Ward mega clash or stay and try to dominate the middleweights, it is a win win for the fans.
Ward would arguably be GGG’s most difficult opponent. With his exceptional boxing skills and elegant movement it wouldn’t be easy for Golovkin to leave his mark on the Californian.
Cotto or Canelo against Golovkin would likely to be more explosive.
Neither man needs the other but with Ward being significantly bigger, he may feel he has the physical advantages to put a dent in a perfect career of a great fighter. For that reason, Ward probably wants the fight that little bit more than GGG.
