Currently in the sport of boxing, the biggest PPV draw in the sport (Floyd Mayweather Jr) is currently "retired" but he's considering making a comeback against a loudmouth MMA fighter (Connor McGregor) who just lost his last fight (it won't happen). The second most popular guy in boxing (Manny Pacquiao) is also "retired" and is now a Congressman in the Philippines. Up next, we have Middleweight title holder Canelo Alvarez, who just anesthetized a fighter (Amir Khan) who moved up two weight classes to face him. So who's the fourth biggest name in the sport? It's none other than the ruler of the Middleweight division, Gennady Golovkin (35-0 with 32 KO's), also known as Triple G. Some boxing pundits are already comparing the knockout artist to a young Mike Tyson and some believe he's an all-time great based on his 16 title defenses and all the knockouts, but there are a few fighters who believe GGG hasn't reached that plateau just yet. In recent interviews, HOF-bound legends Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather both stated that they (and many other GREAT fighters of the past) were willing to move up (and sometimes down) in weight to face tougher opposition. So the question vis this: Is there a double-standard for Triple G when comparing him to other great fighters?
Before I get into this, let me give you my thoughts on GGG. As I stated in a previous article, I believe GGG is an amazing offensive fighter with KO power in both hands. He's destroyed everyone he faced and he's seems to be improving with each fight. With that said, I'm not completely sold on GGG because his defense is average and because he hasn't fought and beat an ELITE fighter yet. I know--GGG can only fight who they put in front of him, but until be beats a PFP top 10 fighter, please don't try to convince me that GGG is GREAT or the best fighter in the world, because you'd be wasting your time. I always believed that in order to be considered to be great, you have to fight and beat other great fighters, which is why when I rank fighters, I value quality of opposition more than a lengthy title reign vs above average fighters.
Now to be fair to GGG, he's stated on many occasions he wants to fight Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez. And if you believe Shane Mosley, GGG-Canelo has been signed, sealed and will be delivered on September 17th. I like and respect Shane Mosley, but I won't believe that fight is official until the Golden Boy himself (Oscar) announces it.
So is there a double standard for GGG? In a recent interview with Fighthubtv.com, a reporter asked Bernard Hopkins about Triple G. Hopkins stated that when he was Middleweight champion, he moved DOWN in weight (157lbs) to make the fight with Oscar De La Hoya, he moved up two weight classes and he embarrassed Antonio Tarver to win the Light-Heavyweight crown and when he was the Light-Heavyweight King, he once again moved down in weight (170lbs) to fight Winky Wright. Simply put, Bernard Hopkins dared to be great. In another recent interview with Fighthype.com, when asked about GGG, Floyd said, "Triple G hasn't shown me any heart yet" because he wants to stay at Middleweight. Now some would argue that Middleweight legend Marvelous Marvin Hagler was also criticized by some for staying at 160 for his entire career and for not moving up to Light-Heavyweight to face Michael Spinks in the mid-80's, but instead, Hagler fought HOF legends Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard. Like Hopkins, Mayweather and many others, the Marvelous One also dared to be great.
If GGG doesn't get the big fight that he so covets at Middleweight (vs Canelo or Floyd), would he be willing to move up in weight like so many great fighters of the past and take on tougher opposition like an Andre Ward or Sergev Kovalev? Or would Triple G be content with ruling the Middleweight division without facing an elite fighter? If he chooses the second option, that would be choice and he would probably be headed to the IBHOF when he retires.
Do I believe there's a double-standard where GGG is concerned? In some ways, I do believe there is, but to a certain degree. Many great fighters of the past like Hopkins, Mayweather and others had to move up in weight and take on top-level opponents before they were considered great, but many believe GGG is already a legend based on what he's done so far, even without facing an elite opponent. With that said, Triple G has plenty of time to prove to people like me that he's great and also, it's WAY too soon to be comparing him to legends like Hopkins and Mayweather because they're both near the end of their careers.
So the question is this: Will Triple G DARE to be GREAT??
Time will tell....
