Who wins Golovkin-Stevens? The experts weigh in

Oct

Gennady Golovkin TKO 9 Curtis Stevens: Yes, this fight is going to be fun. However, Curtis Stevens’ only chance is to land a Hail Mary and catch Gennady Golovkin asleep at the wheel.

And those chances with a guy with the amateur pedigree of Golovkin aren’t likely. Golovkin is a world-beating savage of a man who surprises everyone he hits with his debilitating power.

But even more surprising may be just how technically sound of a boxer he is. GGG has a knack of flattening guys in devastating fashion who are considered durable, and Stevens will be yet another name he will add to his growing list of knockout victims.

Curtis Stevens is a nice challenge, but we must remember that he was out-boxed by Jesse Brinkley and Andre Dirrell. He was also stopped by Marcos Primera back in 2006 — a loss he later avenged.

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The rest of his resume is devoid of a man with GGG’s boxing skills and punching power.Honestly, this fight going nine rounds is being generous, but maybe Golovkin will showcase some boxing skills before inviting the Sandman to put a touch of sleep on Stevens.

Record: 6-1 [Hopkins UD 12 Murat]

Keith Idec, The Record/BoxingScene.com

Gennady Golovkin KO 4 Curtis Stevens: Gennady Golovkin’s good chin has served him well when he has abandoned defense to break down opponents.

But you’d have to think he’ll pay more attention to defense against Curtis Stevens than he has in his previous fights. Stevens isn’t as diverse as Golovkin, yet he is a big puncher, particularly with his left hook.

Unfortunately for Stevens, he isn’t hard to hit, either, and that will lead to his downfall in what should be a fun fight for as long as it lasts.

Record: 16-6 [Hopkins UD 12 Murat]

Edward “Revolver” Khabrov, guest/fan, Zaporozhye City, Ukraine

Gennady Golovkin mid-round TKO Curtis Stevens: I believe this bout is a complete mismatch. After Gennady Golovkin stepped up in competition recently and fought credible fighters like Gabriel Rosado and Matthew Macklin, stopping both of them earlier this year, fighting a guy like Curtis Stevens is a step back.

Golovkin definitely should not sleep on Stevens, whose main weapon is his power along with his fine hand speed. Other than that, however, Stevens is fairly limited. Stevens is a skilled and yet not too versatile fighter, and his record demonstrates that when he’s facing tougher, more skilled fighters, he doesn’t perform as well.

Stevens was twice dropped by Jesse Brinkley, clearly out-boxed by Andre Dirrell, and, most recently, in April, had his hands full against a tough journeyman in Derrick Findley.

Meanwhile, Golovkin, he combines a natural knockout power with an impressive combination of solid skills, patience and accuracy.

Supported by an amateur background comprised of 345-5 record, Golovkin will pressure Stevens from the get-go, eventually overwhelming on the way to a middle rounds stoppage.

Record: 0-1 [Alvarado UD 12 Provodnikov]

Ryan Maquinana, CSNBAYAREA/BoxingScene.com

Gennady Golovkin KO 6 Curtis Stevens: I think Gennady Golovkin will bring too much pressure for Curtis Stevens to handle, even if the New Yorker taps into his amateur days and attempts to box.

Record: 15-8 [Hopkins W 12 Murat]

Rich Marotta, KFI Radio, Los Angeles

Gennady Golovkin KO 3 Curtis Stevens: Juan Manuel Marquez has been my favorite fighter for the last 15 years. That was not only for his greatness, but because I broadcast many of his fights, and we developed a friendship lasting to this day.

My newest favorite is a guy I have no relationship with, nor called a fight of. That is Gennady Golovkin. I am totally awed by what he brings into the ring. This man is not normal.

Don’t think there’s any question he is hardest puncher in boxing, maybe hardest in years. Curtis Stevens is a quality fighter, but it won’t matter.

I’m tempted to pick GGG to win in one round, but I think Curtis will land a few himself in the first round, get hurt in the second, and get whacked in the third.

Record: 17-11 [Hopkins KO 7 Murat]

Kieran Mulvaney, ESPN.com

Gennady Golovkin KO 6 Curtis Stevens: This isn’t going to be a jabbing contest. Curtis Stevens is going to come to fight, and even if he is initially more cautious than his bravado suggests — which I

suspect will be the case — Gennady Golovkin will make him fight.

Unfortunately for Stevens, Golovkin is better at every aspect; his KO percentage somewhat masks his technical versatility and his ability to cut off the ring. That ability will be what eventually finishes Stevens.

After a perhaps surprisingly slow opening round or two, Golovkin will hunt Stevens down and limit his movement. Stevens will stand and trade, and Golovkin will trade with him. It may take him until the middle rounds, but eventually Golovkin will wear him down and stop Stevens.

Record: 4-2 [Alvarado UD 12 Provodnikov]

Jack Obermayer, Fight Fax Inc.

Gennady Golovkin KO 4 Curtis Stevens: Are you kidding me? Maybe it’s bombs away, but, as explosive as Curtis Stevens as been of late, the former member of “The Chin Checkers” will have his own chin checked, and severely damaged by Gennady Golovkin.

Stevens looks to be a front-runner, and once he runs into someone who not only can bang with him, but lays it out there in a more disciplined manner, Stevens will find out that he has no where to hide.

Record: 15-10 [Hopkins UD 12 Murat]

Mark Ortega, RingTV.com

Gennady Golovkin KO 3 Curtis Stevens: Curtis Stevens has been built into a welcome challenger for some by knocking out undersized opposition in his recent run.

Gennady Golovkin is neither undersized or under-skilled the way past Stevens opponents have been. It’s too difficult to forget that Stevens had his will broken by Jesse Brinkley the last time he was ever close to any sort of top tier fight.

I expect Stevens to go out in a guns-blazing style, meaning it could be fun a few rounds before Golovkin gets to him. Looking forward to GGG drawing in a top-10 opponent in 2014.

Record: 12-3 [Hopkins UD 12 Murat]

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John J. Raspanti, Doghouseboxing.com/KO Monthly Magazine/examiner.com

Gennady Golovkin TKO 4 Curtis Stevens: Curtis Stevens has done well since dropping down to the middleweight division. He’s won three of his last four fights by first round knockout.

With that being said, Stevens has never faced anyone with the punching power of Gennady Golovkin. Golovkin is fighting for the fourth time this year.

He was last seen knocking out highly respected Matthew Macklin with a perfect left hook to the liver. Stevens can punch. But Golovkin is the more all-around fighter. I think he breaks Stevens down and stops him in round four.

Record: 8-5 [Hopkins W 12 Murat]