Golovkin: Sanchez Very Important To My Mexican Style

By Jake Donovan

Gennady Golovkin boasts the type of two-fisted power to end a fight at any given time. He also boasts the ring smarts to know that he didn’t reach this point alone.

A former amateur standout who earned a silver medal for Kazakhstan in the 2004 Athens Olympics, Golovkin made the seamless transition upon turning pro in 2006. He was 18-0 (15KOs) by the time he was in line to fight for an interim title, but still needed that something extra to change his game from a traditional – and somewhat predictable – boxing style to the explosive knockout artist he is today.

Enter Abel Sanchez.

The two hooked up more than five years – just in time for Golovkin to tweak his game prior to his first title fight. He had already scored five straight knockouts by the time the two met, but has raised his game ever since his first training camp in Big Bear, California. 

Sanchez had previously trained 14 fighter to world titles. Included among them was Terry Norris, a super welterweight champion during the 1990's who has since been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

There stands a tremendous chance that Golovkin will serve as Sanchez' next Hall of Fame client. For now, the boxer is content on being recognized as a top middleweight, a status he doesn't believe he achieves without present company in place.

“My coach Abel Sanchez is a very important part to my professional style,” Golovkin (33-0, 30KOs) readily admits. “I started to work with him five years ago in Big Bear and felt very comfortable right from the start. He helped me with my professional style which we call “Mexican Style” like Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and many great Mexican champions.”

Golovkin remains a perfect 15-0 (15KOs) since the union, which has included a transformation from rising young titlist to budding international boxing superstar. The unbeaten middleweight enters his first unification bout, which doubles as his Pay-Per-View debut as he faces fellow titlist David Lemieux on October 17 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Some have observed that it’s been Lemieux (34-2, 31KOs) doing most of the talking in the buildup to the fight. There are a few factors behind that, one being that his handlers – including promoter Golden Boy Promotions – are eager to keep his name in headlines as he enters the biggest fight of his life, one where the hard-hitting slugger from Canada is a massive underdog.

Golovkin has already tapped into the mainstream market, evident in his placement in recent advertisements for the Apple Watch. The 33-year old will surely begin to make the media rounds as the PPV event draws nearer. It’s boxing business as usual for now, entering his 15th title defense, as he soaks in as much wisdom as possible from the only voice he has trusted in the ring over the course of his title run. 

More so than trust, the boxer genuinely enjoys the work day that lies ahead.

“Abel is a great man and great trainer,” Golovkin says of his chief second. “From the beginning I felt comfortable in Big Bear at his gym, it’s the perfect place for me to train. I like being in the mountains with no distractions, just working and training for the fight and it’s very good for my concentration.

“At the gym I train hard with other great fighters. This is very good for me and creates a great atmosphere. I look forward to seeing everyone at the gym every day.”

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com.
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Facebook Page: JakeBScene