Why has it taken so long for Golovkin to get popular?

[HeroBando]

Universum is the right answer, but he's lucky he got away just as Hershman took over at HBO. I don't think he would have gotten far with Greenburg.

[Light_Speed]

Yeah, a white knock-out artist from the States would represent big business.

If Lucas Matthysse and Gennady Golovkin were American they would be stars. As it is, they're having to graft their way to the top with little fanfare while being ducked left, right and centre. They even handed Matthysse two undeserved Ls.

Matthysse had it easy, he got to fight a big name like Zab in his first fight on american soil, headlining on HBO. Two fights later he got another big name in Alexander. That's red carpet treatment compared to GGG.

[Pain~Lucy]

dont worry, he'll be promoted by TR soon and hopefully they'll feed chavez

[Weebler I]

Matthysse had it easy, he got to fight a big name like Zab in his first fight on american soil, headlining on HBO. Two fights later he got another big name in Alexander. That's red carpet treatment compared to GGG.

Yeah, but he would have been a star in the UK before he even left for the States - and they robbed him in those two fights anyway and he's still not a draw today.

I take your point though, he's had it easier than Golovkin in terms of opponents but is really not much further on in terms of wider public appeal.

[ShoulderRoll]

Adamek was featured in a lot of cards on NBC. Maidana is a popular fighter and has gotten lots of TV time despite some of his losses. Sergio Martinez is an HBO staple and is considered top 3 P4P.

None of them are white Americans. So time to get off that. Especially in this case with Universum where it clearly doesn't apply.

[Simurgh]

Some good points.

[Weltschmerz]

Golovkin should get some mega fights in the U.S. Then he'll come truly into fruition as a star fighter, and gain popularity in America. Only a matter of time.

[-Kev-]

Wladimir Klitschko has been around for far longer than Golovkin, far more accomplished, and has been on HBO plenty of times. And yet I would not call him popular, at least not in the U.S. if that's what you are asking about Golovkin. There's a good chance that Golovkin will never be popular in the U.S. unless guys like Martinez, Chavez Jr, Canelo, Cotto fight him. Guys with names, but the problem is these guys rather fight each other, rightfully so, because well they are understandably interested in the biggest money fights possible. Martinez-Chavez II, Canelo-Cotto, Cotto-Chavez, Canelo-Chavez, Martinez-Cotto, Canelo-Martinez. Unfortunately for Golovkin he's the odd man out for now, I admit Quillin has no excuse to not fight him, cause Quillin is not that popular. But the fights that can make Golovkin more popular are the fights that just don't make sense.

If Golovkin keeps beating the Rosado's, Ishida's and Vera's, he'll eventually get himself in a position where he can no longer be ducked because he has raised his name high enough with highlight reel KO's. GGG is starting to grow on me, but I wish his hardcore fans would not squeeze his nuts so damn tight, let him build himself up a little more.

[-Kev-]

Matthysse had it easy, he got to fight a big name like Zab in his first fight on american soil, headlining on HBO. Two fights later he got another big name in Alexander. That's red carpet treatment compared to GGG.

Funnily enough some people would tell you otherwise. I read some posters talking about GBP treats Matthysse bad and don't get him any opportunities. The guy is an HBO fighter, getting his fights televised on a premium channel, getting fights against Judah, Alexander, Soto and now a championship fight against Peterson. I mean the next best thing GBP could do for the guy is get him an HBO/Showtime main event PPV and you tell me how that would do. He's basically at the highest level, at the highest popularity, fighting for a major title, fighting a top fighter. What more can you ask for, Matthysse ain't no PPV fighter yet.

[Russian Crushin]

Funnily enough some people would tell you otherwise. I read some posters talking about GBP treats Matthysse bad and don't get him any opportunities. The guy is an HBO fighter, getting his fights televised on a premium channel, getting fights against Judah, Alexander, Soto and now a championship fight against Peterson. I mean the next best thing GBP could do for the guy is get him an HBO/Showtime main event PPV and you tell me how that would do. He's basically at the highest level, at the highest popularity, fighting for a major title, fighting a top fighter. What more can you ask for, Matthysse ain't no PPV fighter yet.

They robbed him 2X and gave him Soto and Ajose and Dallas jr instead of Garcia. What more can you ask for? Look at Devon's Carrer post Urango.