By Edward Chaykovsky
WBA, IBO and WBC "Interim" middleweight champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin, (33-0, 30KOs) is ready for a war with IBF middleweight champion David Lemieux, (34-2, 31KOs), when they collide on Saturday night in a high stakes unification at the "Mecca of Boxing" Madison Square Garden. The fight will be live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
Golovkin has knocked out an 20 opponents in a row and will be making his 15th world championship defense. His 91% knockout percentage is the highest in the history of the middleweight division.
Even in the fights where he's been beaten, Lemieux managed to hurt his opponents.
He says if Lemieux makes good on his promise to come after him with power punches, it will spell doom for the Canadian star.
If Lemieux plays smart and chooses to box, Golovkin could see the contest lasting for twelve rounds.
"It is very interesting for me because right now he [thinks he] is a star. With power alone, he could go maybe three or four rounds with me. If he boxes he could go twelve rounds. Every second is very important - every round - every step," Golovkin said.
"Right now he feels better because he has a stronger team. He gets to talk with Oscar and Bernard. Bernard tells him, I remember my fight at Madison Square Garden against Tito. Right now he is acting like a star - I see the videos - and of course he is a star."
What kind of fight should we expect? Golovkin is expecting a lot of punches, with power, to get exchanged in an action-packed contest.
"This is going to be like a street fight. He has a good style - almost like amateur style. I will beat any style - amateur style or brawl style. He will be a good test for me," Golovkin said.
"Every fight is different and every fight is difficult. This is a big step, but first it is a big test and everyone understands that this step is much bigger."
