Kazakhstan fighter Gennadiy Golovkin is one of the greatest knockout artists of the 21st century.
Considered to be one of the greatest middleweights of all time, ‘GGG’ has taken on and defeated some of the very best.
Golovkin has only lost to Canelo Alvarez across his 45 career fights, showing just how high of a level he was able to perform at.
With a career spanning 16 years, Golovkin was scoring knockouts in his career from his first year to his last. This even includes a career-best knockout in his final victory.
Gennadiy Golovkin defeated Ryota Murata in 2022
In 2022, Golovkin would return to the ring after more than a year of absence from the sport. Looking to make the second defense of his IBF and IBO World Middleweight titles, he took on Ryota Murata, whose WBA title was on the line.
Fighting in Murata’s native Japan, the fight would turn out to be the second-last of Golovkin’s career.
The fighter from Kazakhstan was 40 years old when he stepped into the ring, with a professional record of 41-1-1. As for Murata, he was 36 years old, with a record of 16-2.
Although the fight was relatively close, ‘GGG’ was seemingly leading before the ninth and final round.
In the final minute of the round, Murata was putting pressure on Golovkin, who looked fatigued. However, a quick right-hand counterpunch would sting Murata. Looking completely stunned, the Japanese fighter was not able to defend himself for a follow-up left hand, which put Murata down.
As the WBA champion hit the ground, his corner immediately threw in the towel, spelling the end of the bout.
Gennadiy Golovkin’s final career performance came versus Canelo Alvarez
Golovkin’s performance against Murata in Japan would set up his trilogy bout with Alvarez, one of the greatest Mexican boxers ever.
The first meeting between the Kazakh and the Mexican would end in a split draw before their sequel bout would see Alvarez win a majority decision, where Golovkin showed great durability. Given there was no overly convincing winner in either bout, a trilogy bout was made.
The fight was for the undisputed super middleweight title, as the IBF, WBC, WBO, and WBA titles were all on the line as the two met in Las Vegas.
However, in what was Golovkin’s final career-outing, he was unable to get revenge for his only loss.
As the fight went all 12 rounds, Alvarez won via unanimous decision, as ‘GGG’ decided to retire.