To celebrate Gennady Golovkin’s 39th birthday, we pick out the middleweight maestro’s 10 best wins
1. DANIEL JACOBS (UD 12 – MAR 2017)
An imposing athlete and heavy hitter, Jacobs was in fine form heading into his clash with Golovkin, yet “GGG” came through a close and highly competitive contest with a victory on the scorecards.
2. DAVID LEMIEUX (RSF 8 – OCT 2015)
Golovkin unified his WBA title with Lemieux’s IBF belt by coming out on top in this meeting of big-hitting champions. The Kazakh wrecking machine won every round prior to securing the stoppage.
3. DANIEL GEALE (RSF 3 – JUL 2014)
Having previously reigned as a unified world ruler, Geale boasted an impressive pedigree but was unable to deter Golovkin, who shrugged off a clean right hand to power past the accomplished Australian.
4. MARTIN MURRAY (RSF 11 – FEB 2015)
Respected contender Murray put forth a brave effort against Golovkin, though ultimately the man from Karaganda was just too accurate, too powerful and too good for the rugged Brit, who succumbed late on.
5. SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO (UD 12 – OCT 2019)
The sturdy and robust Derevyanchenko pushed Golovkin hard in this thrilling and gruelling encounter, with Gennady digging deep and doing enough to earn a decision from the three scoring judges.
6. MATTHEW MACKLIN (KO 3 – JUN 2013)
This fight is remembered most for the brutal body shot from Golovkin that conclusively ended matters. The battle-hardened Macklin was left writhing on the canvas in agony after a sickening left hook.
7. KELL BROOK (RSF 5 – SEP 2016)
Brook was an unbeaten world champion going into this high-profile bout, but he was stepping up two weight divisions to challenge Golovkin, who proved simply too strong for his gutsy rival.
8. VANES MARTIROSYAN (KO 2 – MAY 2018)
In between his two superfights with Canelo Alvarez, Golovkin kept busy by dishing out some punishment to Martirosyan. The usually durable Armenian-American was not able to handle the heat on this occasion.
9. MARCO ANTONIO RUBIO (KO 2 – OCT 2014)
Vastly seasoned and enjoying a solid run of results at the time, Rubio saw his successful sequence shattered by the ferocious fists of Golovkin. A trademark arcing hook brought about the finish.
10. WILLIE MONROE JNR (RSF 6 – MAY 2015)
Monroe’s slick southpaw skills were no match for Golovkin’s educated, energy-sapping attacks, as Mr. Big Drama Show ruthlessly dispatched his foe with a barrage of thudding blows along the ropes.