Why do people underrate Golovkin's defense?

[Vegemil]

It seems pretty clear that Golovkin is more offense oriented against softer punchers. When he gets in with a power puncher he spends more time establishing his jab and ensuring the right hand lands. When Golovkin and Canelo fought their lighter opponents they were fighting sloppily even as they were getting hit since they weren't being hurt by the punches. It just seems unfair to judge a fighter based on a fight they probably weren't even taking seriously.

[Canelo and GGG]

He have decent defens but some ppl think that he have some secret tactics

[Buckfever]

Because he chooses to be sloppy and trade. And that's on him. The mentality or mindset is part of good defense.

[HAY-B]

It seems pretty clear that Golovkin is more offense oriented against softer punchers. When he gets in with a power puncher he spends more time establishing his jab and ensuring the right hand lands. When Golovkin and Canelo fought their lighter opponents they were fighting sloppily even as they were getting hit since they weren't being hurt by the punches. It just seems unfair to judge a fighter based on a fight they probably weren't even taking seriously.

Because no one has seen GGG's defense because he has not been in with a serious threat. All we have really seen is GGG's offense. Truthfully no one can really critique his D because he has not been forced to show that side of his game. I think most folks are hoping the Jacobs fight ends up being a competitive bout that will bring out the best in both fighters and force both of them to dig deep for the victory.

[Vegemil]

Because no one has seen GGG's defense because he has not been in with a serious threat. All we have really seen is GGG's offense. Truthfully no one can really critique his D because he has not been forced to show that side of his game. I think most folks are hoping the Jacobs fight ends up being a competitive bout that will bring out the best in both fighters and force both of them to dig deep for the victory.

Jacobs has the power to make it happen. Not so sure about his chin though.

[Dip_Slide]

GGG has very good defense if he's alert, if his whole focus is to not get hit I think he can do it against a B class opponent. However I think GGG has the weakness of losing focus during portions of rounds and during these he tends to forget about moving his head and he absorbs too many shots. But like I said if he's alert he's not so easy to hit with big bombs.

[Vegemil]

Because he chooses to be sloppy and trade. And that's on him. The mentality or mindset is part of good defense.

I think he still has the capability of showing off great defense. Brook was probably like a sparring partner to him.

[Buckfever]

He showed good defense against Lemieux and has previously, but you don't get to throw caution to the wind as he has in recent times and retain respect as a defensive fighter.

[Ray Corso]

When he works behind his jab he moves his head and looks for angles. Against Brook he got sloppy and got tagged.
It's not just about being hurt getting your face puffed up then cut could cause a tko loss so your not supposed to abandon your defense it should be part of your game plan against anyone.
He does loose focus and that is a weakness in his armor.
Ray

[LoadedWraps]

It seems pretty clear that Golovkin is more offense oriented against softer punchers. When he gets in with a power puncher he spends more time establishing his jab and ensuring the right hand lands. When Golovkin and Canelo fought their lighter opponents they were fighting sloppily even as they were getting hit since they weren't being hurt by the punches. It just seems unfair to judge a fighter based on a fight they probably weren't even taking seriously.

People underrate his defense because they don't know what they are watching. It's honestly that simple.

Guy who don't know too much about the sport tend to relate good defense with philly shell type styles, which is pretty erroneous.

Golovkin has fantastic defense. Golovkin is similar to Maidana in that because he comes forward and is an aggressive fighter who can stop you with one shot, people assume that you can't also be an elusive, slick fighter who knows who to roll shots, catch and shoot, and parry while throwing.


Then, there's the fact that fighters largely choose how they want to fight. Guys who don't understand boxing don't see that. Just like a basketball player can choose to be aggressive and drive to the rim or defer and move the ball and set up post up shooters, so can a fighter choose to fight off the backfoot, choose to go to war but maintain defensive integrity, choose to go to war and disregard defense, etc.