Forum, Inglewood, CA, May 16
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
On paper at least, this encounter looks like a man-versus-boy type mismatch, but styles make fights and Monroe (19-1, 6 KOs), a speedy sharp-shooter, does actually have the skill set to upset Golovkin (32-0, 29 KOs), on the outside chance he can keep it up for 12 rounds.
Utilizing his superior hand and foot speed, Monroe will win the first couple rounds by sniping from long range with his right jab while spinning side to side to offset Golovkin. But as slick of a southpaw as Monroe is, he is no Pernell Whitaker; he can be countered and he can be cornered. Golovkin will time Monroe, maybe even drop him, with a few strategically-placed rights to the body and Monroe will quickly unravel.
By the fifth round Monroe will be reduced to fighting on survival mode, hanging on to Golovkin for dear life as the murderous-punching Kazakh violently tears into him with both fists. Trapping Monroe along the ropes, Golovkin connects with a straight right to the chin in the seventh round delivering a knockout so brutal it rivals last weekend's Canelo KO3 Kirkland for 2015 Knockout of the Year.
Afterthoughts:
If Golovkin was really giving Monroe a chance to get back into the fight by letting himself get hit, he is more confident, fan-considerate and invincible than previously thought. Monroe's stock didn't go down as he chose to trade with 3G rather than fight on survival mode, but he sure didn't win any new fans from the Mexican-thick crowd at the Inglewood Forum by quitting on his feet.
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