Sometimes, the stupidity of the worst business practices of boxing results in simple harassment in the ring. This was the case when Gennady Golovkin faced IBF middleweight title contender Kamil Szameta on Friday night. After seven unilateral rounds that knocked Sajemata four times, the referee was finally forced to stop fighting, Golovkin won the TKO and held the IBF title firmly in his grip.
Any secrets about this can be traced back to the early stages if Sajeremata can hang out with Golovkin and make the fight competitive. Golovkin quickly established his powerful gauntlet, smiling at Caesarmeta’s attempt to throw the same punch, and to no avail. Golovkin followed his jaw with a high wall that opened the punches of his power, and a left-handed pole placed Szameta down in the opening frame.
Sjeremata will go down again in Round 2, this time from a clubbing on Golbokin’s right hand. Sajeremata again managed to beat the numbers, but without a strong counter-attack – Sajeremata outscored only five points in 21 fights against low-level opposition – Golovkin was given no reason to get his feet off the gas. Was
Golovkin will not score two more knock-downs in the fourth and seventh rounds, before the referee watches enough and forgives the fight when the fighters spin on their jumps. It was a kind ending for Caesarmata, whose toughness was unmatched by any other skill on this tour.
“Respect Kamil’s trainer and corner,” Golovkin said of the stop. “They’re very sensible because it was done. Come on, boys.”
All told, Golovkin trailed Zezrita from 228 to 59 for a total of five punches, including a 94-10 advantage in his pockets. Adding the bad news for Sagemereta to the punch figures, Golovkin used 56% of his power during the fight.
The obvious game for Golovkin will be the third fight with Canello Alvars when their first fight ended in a draw and the second for Alvarez in a narrow majority decision.
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Alvarez fights Saturday night, taking on Callum Smith for a pair of Super Middleweight titles. Golovkin was happy after the fight. When asked about the possible triangle, it was suggested that he was open to it, but not fully committed.
“Of course, I’m open to anyone,” Golovkin said. “For me, for business, for DJN, the best opponent for the people? We’ll wait for tomorrow. I hope tomorrow is a great event. Who will win? I’m open.”
CBS Sports was with you all Friday. Be sure to follow the live results and highlights below.
Fighting cards, results
Gennady Golovkin D.F. Seventh Round TKO by Kamil Sajemerata
Hyun Mi Choi (C) Def. Callista Silgado by unanimous decision (97-93, 99-91, 98-92)
John Ryder D.F. Michael Gay unanimously decided (100-90, 99-91, 96-94)
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