By Edward Chaykovsky
WBA/IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (29-0, 26KOs) has knocked out his last 16 opponents, a streak which dates back to 2008. This coming Saturday night at New York's Madison Square Garden, he faces the toughest and most accomplished opponent of his entire career - two-time former champion Daniel Geale (30-2, 16KOs), who only suffered two controversial decision losses in his successful career.
Unlike some of his past encounters, Golovkin is expecting a very tough contest and he is certainly not focused on scoring a knockout. The only thing he is focused on is victory.
"I respect Daniel Geale very much," Golovkin said. "Daniel is a great fighter. I have watched his tapes, and the last fight in particular, makes me realize this is not going to be an easy fight - because he has a specific style. He has proved that in his fights and it will be difficult to solve."
Golovkin's trainer, Abel Sanchez, expects his fighter to stay patient, composed and break Geale down as the fight moves along.
"What I saw in the Curtis Stevens fight was somewhat of a Hagler composure. Curtis upset him because of some of the antics he was doing on social media and Gennady was able to keep his composure and be patient and punish Curtis because of some of the things he had been saying. All of those pluses that he has in comparing him to Hagler and Leonard and Sugar Ray Robinson, they will all be seen in time as he fights great fighters like he is fighting on the 26th," Sanchez said.
