So, Gennady Golvokin and Roman Gonzalez each retained their titles and designations as the best two fighters in the world. Some argue their competition has not been high enough to warrant this placement, or that their positions should be reversed, but little happened last Saturday to move them up or down. Chocolatito and GGG both won in one-sided fashion, albeit in different ways. Dominic Wade pretty much showed everyone why is nowhere near elite. McJoe Arroyo made us wonder who had been able to beat him the other two times. I, for one, would like to see Golovkin and Gonzalez each face a fast, slick boxer.
That seems to be the only type of fighter who could threaten them. Rigo is too big, but why not Amnat Ruenruong? Most Thai fighters will not leave the comfort of home, but the IBF 112 champion already has done so. He broke Zou Shiming's fans' hearts in hostile territory last year. Why not try and do the same against Chocolatito? Inoue would be exciting, but he barely fights at all, and Gonzalez has already beaten Estrada. I think this is the last type of fighter he has to prove he can beat. Also, it would be a unification, and a battle of unbeatens.
Andre Ward is simply too big now, and has his sights set on another unbeaten former-Soviet destroyer in Kovalev. Canelo has fast hands, but slow feet, and his best chance is to lose 8-4 to GGG. This way he will go the distance, and hope the WBC judges gives him the few "extra" points that he always seems to get when fights go a full 12 rounds. Don't believe me? Think about his fights with Floyd, Trout, Lara, and Cotto. At least 2 judges always seem to give him more rounds than he actually won. If Canelo can jump out to an early lead, then rely on his chin and strength to stay upright, there is always a possibility of a screw job decision to guarantee a rematch.
For GGG, Danny Jacobs and Peter Quillin have decent boxing skills and speed, but neither would be likely to keep Golovkin off of them, or be able to stand up to the power when he does close the gap. However, if we really want to see if GGG can truly beat all styles, he has to take on the one style that has befuddled pressure fighters with that "Mexican style" since the beginning of time: the fast, defensive, slick (usually black and southpaw) fighter.
Erislandy Lara is no Pernell Whittaker, but you can argue that his 2 losses and 2 draws were all bad decisions, and his competition level has always been high. No one looks good against him, except maybe Carlos Molina, who was able to match his awkwardness. Chances are, if Angulo was able to drop Lara twice, that GGG would eventually catch and stop Lara, but that fight would shut up a lot of his detractors. Especially if GGG dropped in weight to take the fight, as a trial run for Canelo's infamous "catchweights". We are likely not to get Canelo-GGG for at least a year, so the dance card might as well get filled with people who increase Golovkin's legacy. Guys like Wade will not do that.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com