Photos: Gennady Golovkin Hits Mexico, Belted By The WBC

Gennady "GGG" Golovkin was presented with the coveted World Boxing Council  green and gold belt by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Mexico City, and a special WBC bracelet was fitted on to his sturdy right wrist for everyday adornment.

Mauricio praised Gennady`s unique achievements in the middleweight division,  his constant determination to fight the best available, to go to London to fight Kell Brook on English turf as well as his attendance at WBC Conventions and at WBC Cares events to meet and encourage children combatting serious illness.  Mauricio commented: "There isn't a better representative of Boxing than Gennady!"

Gennady said: "It is a tremendous pride to receive the green and gold belt here in Mexico City and to be in the presence of such great champions."

To help Gennady celebrate, those champions came on to the dais to congratulate him.  He received a powerful clinching bearhug from recent Hall of Fame inductee Lupe Pintor.  Not far behind was friend and former rival Carlos Zarate, who himself knows a bit about KO punching.  Other greats included:  Rafael Marquez,  Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez, Rafael Herrera, Francisco "Bandido" Vargas, Ganigan Lopez and Alejandra "Tigre" Jimenez.

In the garden of the Embassy during the reception Gennady said he was tremendously looking forward to going to London and fighting there for the first time.  He stressed: "First of all, I have respect for Kell Brook. Kell is a great champion, who`s right now coming to the middleweight division.  It will be a very interesting fight and a big test for us."

Undefeated Gennady who`s stopped 32 of his 35 opponents, explained he`s not been severely tested or pressured up to now,  predicting his biggest fights are stretching ahead of him, starting with also undefeated Kell Brook enthusing: "I`m very excited about going to London.  The UK is a beautiful country and London is an impressive city.  Hopefully I will give the fans there a big, exciting and dramatic show."

That famous "GGG" beaming smile all but disappeared with mention Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, who recently relinquished the WBC middleweight belt, and disappointingly won`t be fighting Gennady in the foreseeable future.  Gennady reflected and retorted about Canelo: "All the people and fans...but not me...say this is not good for boxing.  Let me tell you, I`m ready to fight anyone."

As for that tremendous punching power, Gennady is willing to accept it might have something to do with genetics, but he leans much more toward the practical bread and butter fundamental: "There`s no secret concerning power. It needs and it takes very hard work every day, in fact sessions two or three times per day.  It really involves sheer hard work and real focus!"