Stevens: "Why not dethrone the man everyone idolizes like a God?"

It sounds like Stevens still plans on trading with GGG... :lol1: During a Wednesday conference call with members of the media in advance of his Nov. 2 clash with power-punching WBA middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin at Madison Square Garden, Brooklyn-based Curtis "Showtime" Stevens dismissed the hype around Golovkin, yet again, while also explaining his reasons for not pursiing fights with RING and WBC champion Sergio Martinez as well as WBO counterpart Peter Quillin. "Golovkin is the so-called 'Most-Feared Middleweight in the World,' so why not? Why not go after 'God' instead of going after 'the peasants' in the middleweight division? Sergio wasn't going to be fighting any time soon and Kid Chocolate, he's a friend of mine," said Stevens. "So anytime we compete, it would have to be for a title and there would have to be big money involved in that. But like I said, Golovkin, he's supposed to be the so-called most feared, so why not dethrone the man who everybody idolizes like he's a god?" Although Golovkin (27-0, 24 knockouts) scored his 14th straight stoppage win against Matthew Macklin in June, Stevens (25-3, 18 KOs) questions why the native of Kazakhstan was not able to more swifly dispose of opponents such as Kassim Ouma and Gabriel Rosado, whom he vanquished in the 10th and seventh rounds, respectively. Meanwhile, Stevens said that he can offer more versatility than Golvokin has seen thus far, whether it means displaying his finishing power, as he did during a first-round stoppage of Saul Roman on Aug. 3, or his boxing ability, like in his eight-round unanimous decision over Derrick Findley in April at The Garden. To that end, Stevens has trained with talented junior middleweight Glen Tapia (20-0, 12 KOs), light heavyweight Yusaf Mack, and journeyman middleweight Ossie Duran, among others. "My training has never been based on one-punch knockout power. That's just something that I have, naturally. I've worked on a little more speed, and a little more agility. I'm already fast, but I'm trying to be faster," said Stevens. "I'm just working on our game plan, pressuring back, and being stronger than him. He doesn't like pressure, as we've seen from the tapes that we've seen, and he does get hit. I just need to coordinate my A-game and do what I do best and stay focused." http://rin gtv.craveonline.com/blog/181127-stevenson-pursued-most-feared-golovkin-

Comments (20)

I wish him well in this fight

12y ago

Weebler_I

What if Stevens actually wins lol He could land his lucky punch and win, but in the longer run I don't think it matters, Golovkin would come back.

12y ago

I think Curtis will suprise everyone and come out boxing Golovkin... Curtis has some pop but I think he'd be a complete fool to just get into a firefight with Golovkin...I don't think his handlers would let him do that to himself...

12y ago

Jc8804

Anyone really think stevens can take GGG's power ? I doubt it

12y ago

Doctor_Tenma4618

Knock his ass out Stevens. If you are a thinking mans fighter, you'll forget about his power and pick your spots and use defense. Take a page out of Garcias book. Difference here is Golovkin is more skilled than Stevens

12y ago

Citizen_Koba

Its guys like this that make for exciting fights!!!!! He'll be going to sleep though. TBH this^. For all that Mack was a far more highly rated fighter that Curtis (and would likely beat him) the GGG - Macklin fight lacked excitement because it was glaringly obvious that Macklin brought nothing that could trouble GGG. At the very least Stevens has some pop and a mean left hook. I am as sure as I can be that he will lose, but Golovkin cannot afford to lose concentration, 'cos Stevens will be coming to fight, and just one -or two of the hooks landed early could change the tone of the fight. What we will see in Nov tho, is a demonstration of just how hard Gena makes it for his foes to land clean. And after Curtis has felt what Golovkin brings, I think he'll face the same choice as everyone else we gets in the ring with GGG: get on your bike, and get hurt slow or try and trade and get stopped fast - for Stevens the latter option at least gives him a (small) chance.

12y ago

King_

I agree, GGG has the skills to be a dominant champ but developing a fan friendly personality will help him land big money fights. Skills can olny get you so far, see the outcome of the Ward vs Froch fight for a perfect example. Ward has more skill as demonstrated in their fight, yet Froch's popularity has grown because of his personality while Ward is ignored because he doesn't appeal to the masses. GGG should be thanking Stevens, this fight wasn't interesting until Stevens began to run his mouth.... I absolutely agree and GGG certainly does have a fan friendly style IMO. We all knew about his boxing skills and counter punching abilities before he was with Abel but Abel himself said the exact same thing- he wanted to develop a style that the American public will like and the style to make Golovkin a star. All Golovkin has to do is exactly what he has been, be willing to fight everyone, train hard and get in the ring- his popularity and "star power" will rise IMO.

12y ago

Heru

"My training has never been based on one-punch knockout power. That's just something that I have, naturally. I've worked on a little more speed, and a little more agility. I'm already fast, but I'm trying to be faster," said Stevens. "I'm just working on our game plan, pressuring back, and being stronger than him. He doesn't like pressure, as we've seen from the tapes that we've seen, and he does get hit. I just need to coordinate my A-game and do what I do best and stay focused." Someone's been studying... If you try to go in there thinking you're going to outbox GGG on the outside without Sergio's speed, stamina, and durability, you're going to get what Macklin got. If he's strong and skilled enough to apply intelligent pressure for 12 rounds against Golovkin, he's going to give himself the best shot he can at an upset. If he can't, we'll be seeing a late KO. He lost decisively to Jesse Brinkley (who's a level(s) below Golovkin) so we'll see if he can actually implement the game plan.

12y ago

firstborn

GGG doesn't need hype, his skills will do the talking for itself. Just give him a chance. He's been fighting on national television for less then a year. I agree, GGG has the skills to be a dominant champ but developing a fan friendly personality will help him land big money fights. Skills can olny get you so far, see the outcome of the Ward vs Froch fight for a perfect example. Ward has more skill as demonstrated in their fight, yet Froch's popularity has grown because of his personality while Ward is ignored because he doesn't appeal to the masses. GGG should be thanking Stevens, this fight wasn't interesting until Stevens began to run his mouth....

12y ago

The_Gambler1981

Well -------------------------------------------------------------- Who could forget Stevens winning because he's black? Interesting, cant get everyone to agree on something I guess. The first two aren't that bad if Stevens wins it will probably be a shocking knockout so if one is to go against the grain fuck it go big or go home I guess. The third one lol

12y ago

Ogecca_MaMa

Stevens is not at that level, or has he even had a win at a level below GGG. He has however had losses at levels below GGG. This fight will be a wash. Amazing how hype can confuse people. it's not really hype. peops just want Gennady to lose.

12y ago

Hougigo

That would be pretty shocking if Stevens won, I don't think I have seen a single person pick him to win (with very good reason). Golovkin isn't proven enough to consider such an outcome a historic level upset but it would be a very shocking upset I think I would use the word flabbergasted to describe my reaction to that turn of events taking place. Well -------------------------------------------------------------- I just love all the nay sayers, i can't wait for stevens to put ggg on his back. cheers :fest30: what are they gonna say when golovkin is laying face down on the canvas? lol:bottle: oh it was a fluke and a lucky punch. stevens should take some pages from mike tysons fighting style it would suit him best due to his lack of height and reach. Here's the issue with GGG and it stems from the same issue I had with Donaire prior to his title fight with Rigo - Afro-Americans and Afro-Carribeans are predominantly superior boxers with more depth and abilities than all those hispanics and caucasians on Donaire & GGG's highlight real on youtube. When you face a brotha like Stevens who can box a bit and bang a bunch . . its a different world than where you're coming from as GGG. Donaire had an afro-centric ephiphany against Rigo as well after being 'managed' through a series of opponents who weren't of the African Diaspora like "El Chacal" GGG may have an afro-centric ephiphany early on against Stevens who presents problems as an experienced true middleweight and a power-counterpuncher that has a habit of knocking guys out inside of two rounds Who could forget Stevens winning because he's black?

12y ago

brick_wall

godlovkin will send back that mouthy non-believer crashing down to his hell-hole.

12y ago

The_Gambler1981

12y ago

sugarsmosley

If stevens wins, the whole arena including stevens himself will be frozen in shock. anyone SERIOUSLY putting anything down for stevens to win?

12y ago

King_

GGG doesn't need hype, his skills will do the talking for itself. Just give him a chance. He's been fighting on national television for less then a year.

12y ago

SkillspayBills

If Stevens won Brooklyn would literally go bananas. With that being said, GGG takes his neck off EARLY.

12y ago

Da_Machine

Stevens is not at that level, or has he even had a win at a level below GGG. He has however had losses at levels below GGG. This fight will be a wash. Amazing how hype can confuse people.

12y ago

Hougigo

What's a god to a non believer?

12y ago

D4thincarnation

Stevens, is going to get schooled before he going to get KOed. I hope Stevens lands big on GGG chin, only two see Golovkin smile at him and then put Stevens lights out. Then he will realise that GGG is not just his daddy but his god. The fight is at 160lbs

12y ago