At the Forum, Inglewood, both headlining fighters weighed in successfully. Gennady Golovkin and Willie Monroe Jr looked in remarkable condition in preparation for their 12-round Middleweight Championship bout. Golovkin’s IBO and WBA (Super) straps will be on the line. The WBC Interim strap will not, however, due to Monroe withdrawing from the 30-day weigh-in.
Golovkin vs Monroe Jr: Weights
Golovkin comes into the fight with 32 wins, 29 knockouts, no defeats, and Monroe 19 wins, 6 knockouts, 1 loss.
Monroe, the heavy underdog, looks to be taking the fight very seriously, indeed, weighing in at 160 pounds. One heavier than his dance partner. Golovkin also looked very trim and ready for war as he made weight in front of the Californian crowd at a ready 159. For what it’s worth, the Kazakhstan-born punching phenomenon has a 1/2″ height advantage over his 5′ 10″ opponent.
Monroe was the slightly more chiseled of the two, arguably looking in the best shape of his career. But as we know, muscle doesn’t always equal power in boxing. Timothy Bradley is one of the game’s top athletes yet lightest hitters, despite possessing a bodybuilder-like physique.
Golovkin vs Monroe Jr may be one of the biggest mismatches of 2015 so far – at least on paper. But it’s great to see New York’s Monroe appearing confident and in tremendous shape before he enters the most important fight of his career. Read BoxingBase.com’s official Golovkin vs Monroe Jr Prediction and see Golovkin’s Greatest Hits.
Golovkin vs Monroe Jr: Undercard
Chief support from Roman Gonzalez and Edgar Sosa will also be going ahead despite a minor hitch. After Sosa quickly burned off some unwanted water weight, he made the 112-pound limit. WBC Flyweight Champion Gonzalez came in a pound lighter at 111. Despite ex-world champ Sosa now being 35-years-old, he could bring about a reasonable challenge to boxing’s most underrated pound for pound fighter.
Undefeated in 42 fights, with 36 knockouts to his name, Gonzalez is nonetheless a heavy favorite in this defense. Like the main event’s star, the Nicaraguan isn’t expected to taste defeat at the Forum tonight. Sosa comes to the ring with 51 wins, 30 knockouts, 8 defeats.
What did you think of the weigh-in, and who are you picking going into Golovkin vs Monroe Jr? No-brainer? Or could Golovkin be in for a few surprises? Let us know in the comments below, fight fans!
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