By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
Japanese hero, 2012 Olympic gold medalist and WBA 160-pound super champ Ryota Murata (16-2, 13 KOs) demonstrated a public workout to press people to show a good shape in preparation for a highly anticipated showdown against IBF counterpart Gennady Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs) on Monday in Tokyo, Japan.
Having been postponed time and again by the COVID19 pandemic, the sensational unification bout at the Saitama Super Arena on April 9 will take place this time for sure. Murata said, “I’m not afraid of facing Golovkin at all but of another postponement. I’m ready.” We are looking forward to watching this historically biggest event since a couple of Mike Tyson events in 1988 and 1990. It will be presented by Teiken Promotions.
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We’ll see what Golovkin has left at the age of 40 coming off a layoff. I’m predicting a close, tough, 12 round fight.
I think Mike Tyson said it best when he mentioned you’re not as hungry when you have the money to buy anything. Usually the more money you have the less you fight and the more it shows in your skills that you aren’t as sharp as you used to be. As a former Canelo hater (now a huge fan) he seems to buck that trend and even tho he’s super rich, he still fights often and is hungry enough to take tough challenges and keep improving and remain sharp. He’s going to obliterate GGG in the rematch (GGG used to be my favorite fighter until he decided to fight the softest competition once a year) wouldn’t be surprised if Murata upsets GGG and the 3rd fight never happens with Canelo.
I wouldn’t be surprised either. Canelo has something that drives him hungy, with great motivation: A family, lots of childs and good friends, being Reynoso the best of them.
And don’t forget the “mexican meat.” Clenbuterol is a wonderful thing.
Haha…. Most athlete use PED for their victory but the lamp will burnout someday
GGG might be on something himself, his part of the world is also known for doping. He has been out of the ring long enough for any substance to go out of his system.
I just dont see canelo taking out ggg yes he’s going to win a 12th rd decision but thats it
I’m picking the UPSET! Murata by TKO!!
Good chance of this happening-GGG has already shown signs of age and younger fighter may have enough to win.
good matchup. very Big venue too.
i wouldnt be surprised if this is NOW a very competitive fight.
Will this be on PPV?
Its on DAZN
Yes also GGG by tko and get ready for the bloodbath 3rd fight with canelo
Since ggg beat canelo twice before I dont see why he won’t beat him again.
The first fight maybe, but the second one he fought like turkey, especially the last four rounds. He was touting Canelo to fight like Mexican, and when Canelo stood in front, he preferred to box to despair of his trainer Abel Sanchez.
If they fight again, Canelo has a huge chance to stop him because there are too many factors against Golovkin (age, weight, momentum in their career, wear and tear, etc). If they have fought right after Canelo got the titles from Cotto, yes GGG could have won, and perhaps stopped Canelo, but not now.
Golovkin is about to turn 40 years old and since the last time he fought, Canelo has had four fights. Also GGG hasn’t looked too good his last couple of fights. Derevyanchenko hurt him to the body in their fight.
I totally agree. Someone said GGG is picking soft fights. Let’s not forget that Caneedles Alvaroids hasn’t fought anyone of substance since GGG. The closest might have been Saunders or Plant. Still, no one with the type of record or opponents GGG has faced.
I thought GGG beat Canelo in the first fight and the second fight was so close that if you think he won that as well, I’d disagree, but I don’t think it would be such a big stretch to say. But their opposition since fighting each other isn’t even comparable. Since the last time they fought, Canelo has had seven fights, five of them were against reigning world champions, the last three of those – Plant, Saunders and Callum Smith – were undefeated and his next fight is against another undefeated reigning world champion. One of the others was against a Daniel Jacobs who was still in form.
Golovkin has had three fights over the same time and the best of those was against Derevyanchenko. I like Derevyanchenko but we know who he is. He’s a solid B- level guy who finds a way to lose close fights to B/A level guys. I also like Steve Rolls, but he’s not of that quality. It just seems like GGG’s stalled a bit, sitting around waiting for Canelo and until Murata came around he had no backup plan. He could have fought Andrade and Munguia as they fought on the same network and Eubank was always calling him out and was unaligned, but he fought Derevyanchenko, Steve Rolls and Kamil Szeremeta instead.
Quietly, Murata hasn’t actually fought since two days before Xmas 2019! He’s been out two years and a quarter and he just turned 36, so I don’t think there’s anyway that he’ll be at his best and he wasn’t the most consistent even when he was. However, GGG has been out almost 16 months himself and he turns 40 the day before the fight, so I don’t see him being at his best either…
Just don’t know what to expect in this fight. The best GGG I’ve ever seen probably stops the best Murata I’ve ever seen late in the fight, but those guys are likely long gone.
Lucie:
– Your posts are always based on facts and a good perspective.
– Take care.
Thank you Gary, I appreciate it.
If GGG later fights Canelo in a 3rd fight, I have serious concerns for GGG’s safety because a pissed off Canelo will have no mercy on GGG; and Canelo may extend the rounds to maximize pain on GGG.
First thing first, let’s see how GGG looks against Murata.
Sensational is a strong word to use when describing this fight
How GGG looks in this fight will determine my prediction on a rubber match with Clenelo .
Alvarez has not fought anyone since GGG that has hurt him. If G has a blowout win and Canelo beats Bivol but had a hard time, will you GGG doubters change your minds? Let’s see what happens. FYI GGG won both fights vs Canelo who fucked him for years
This is a fight that originally intrigued me but has been spoiled by the delays. Two rusty fighters. I see almost nothing happening over the first half of the fight
What I think why way until take care business mutants y triple GGG and then talk about canelo and GGG