Korobov Assesses Andy Lee, Targets Golovkin Clash

By Alexey Sukachev

WBO #1 rated middleweight and also WBO mandatory challenger Matvey Korobov (24-0, 14 KOs) of Orutukan, Russia, but presently fighting out of Saint Petersburg, Florida, expressed his interest in a fight with WBA/IBO king Gennady Golovkin in future, and said that there is backing in place from American television for such a bout to be made.

Korobov, 31, faces "Irish" Andy Lee (33-2, 23 KOs), one year his junior, in a bid for the vacant WBO middleweight title on Dec. 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I guess a fight versus Golovkin will be an interesting affair for Russian and European fans, but followers of the sport overseas [in American] will not be disappointed as well. I’m positively thrilled with such a collision, and there are certain chances that it can happen the next year," said Korobov.

"As far as I know HBO is interested [in this fight], and my promoter Top Rank is interested as well. We need just a small step towards this fight. Together with Gennady we can show world-class boxing, attract the fans both in Russia and abroad."

Speaking about the Lee fight, Korobov confirmed he will earn $400,000 for this title affair. He then added a few words about his opponent:

“Lee has good jab, he doesn’t slug with you, just boxes like a world-class amateur, and he is quite lanky. But he is also quite slow, he lacks speed, and this can be a decisive factor in my favor. I can tag him because of my superior footwork and good punch. But I’m aiming at a lengthy fight, not at a knockout."