Gennady Golovkin v Sergio Martinez Rivalry Could Be Settled Next!
Unified middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (42-2-1, 37KO) could revisit an old rivalry with former WBC champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (55-3-2, 30KO). After losing the trilogy to undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, GGG quickly reminded the fans that he still holds three belts in the middleweight division.
RELATED: Canelo Wins Close UD Over Golovkin; Exits Bout Needing Hand Surgery
There are a few options for the unified champion provided he returns to middleweight. Golovkin could look to fight WBC champion Jermall Charlo. However, this could be problematic as it requires DAZN and Showtime to work together. Another intriguing fight is against newly crowned WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly. This fight is unlikely to happen considering Golovkin is like a mentor to the WBO champion.
REVISITING A PAST RIVAL
So what would be next? A rival from the past could be on the radar in number three WBA-rated Martinez. These two men have a history that goes back to when Maravilla was the WBC champion. Martinez defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr for the belt in 2012 and spent the majority of 2013 being hounded about unification with then WBA champion Golovkin. Instead of making the unification, a one-legged Martinez, who suffered an injury in the Chavez Jr fight prior, was easily defeated by Miguel Cotto in 2014.
In 2020, Martinez returned to the ring after a six-year hiatus with his own promotional company Maravillabox Promotions in tow. The 47-year-old is on a four-fight win streak and seems to be winning the battle against father time.
If this is to be the last hurrah for both Martinez and Golovkin, the time to fight is now. The match could take place in Spain, where Martinez is a huge draw. This could produce the type of payday Golovkin could be looking for before exiting the sport.
By: Garrisson Bland
Be the first to comment