Can Ryota Murata Rise to the Occasion in Unification Bout with Golovkin?
On April 9, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, WBA Super middleweight champion Ryota Murata (16-2, 13KOs) will take on IBF champion Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin (41-1-1, 36KOs) in a unification bout. Originally set to fight on December 29, the fight was postponed due to the COVID-19 variant Omicron.
This bout with Murata has been severely overlooked for a unification fight involving former unified 160-pound champion Golovkin. While Triple G is still a big name in boxing at 39 years old, his best days are clearly behind him. Murata, a 36-year-old Japanese fighter, has been a disappointment after being touted as a professional to watch. This is especially true considering the gold medal he earned in the 2012 Olympic Games,
After starting his career off by winning his first twelve fights, nine of them by knockout, a title shot was awarded to him against former WBO and WBA Regular 160-pound champion Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam in May of 2017. In front of his home country fans, he would be served up his first loss by a split decision. Some felt he won; however, the fight should’ve never been that close considering how significant a favorite he was heading into the fight.
Nonetheless, Murata would bounce back in the rematch against N’Jikam, stopping him in seven rounds. However, more trouble and inconsistencies would occur. After beating Emanuele Blandamura, he would suffer his second loss, this time in America, as he was soundly beaten by Rob Brant in 2018. Yet again though, he would regain his title back, stopping Brant in two rounds. Since that fight, he’s won two consecutive fights and was elevated to super champion by the WBA.
THE MOST IMPORTANT FIGHT OF HIS CAREER!
In yet another home bout, Ryota Murata has the chance to pick up the biggest win of his professional career. To be quite honest, not many people like his chances against a past-his-prime Golovkin. Why would they? Murata hasn’t proved to be an upper echelon fighter or a consistent one. Sure, he has the height, some solid power, and a solid skillset, yet he hasn’t been able to put it all together.
RISE UP OR FALL DOWN!
If Murata going to beat Gennady Golovkin, that time is now. With two belts on the line, fighting in his home country of Japan, where he’s extremely popular, the pressure is so much that it’s either going to cause him to rise to the occasion or crumble under the bright lights. He has a major opportunity to prove his doubters wrong!
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By: Jerrell Fletcher
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