Who wins Golovkin-Stevens? The experts weigh in

Oct

Gennady Golovkin KO 3 Curtis Stevens: I like Gennady Golovkin to stop Curtis Stevens fairly early in this fight. There’s nothing in their recent fights, or overall careers for that matter, to make me think otherwise.

Unless Golovkin has a chin problem — and, frankly, it’s too early to tell — he should be able to hurt Stevens and stop him.

I was ringside for when Stevens got stopped by Marcos Primera. As for Golovkin? Yeah, well he’s no Primera. GGG in three.

Record: 19-9 [Hopkins W 12 Murat]

Chris Robinson, Hustleboss.com/BoxingScene.com

Gennady Golovkin mid-round KO Curtis Stevens: Gennady Golovkin is on a roll now, and I don’t see Curtis Stevens being the guy to stop him. I like Golovkin’s power and accuracy to lead him toward a mid-rounds stoppage

Record: 14-6 [Quillin W 12 Rosado]

Cliff Rold, BoxingScene.com

Gennady Golovkin KO Curtis Stevens: This looks like fun given the power both men possess, but beyond power, what does Curtis Stevens challenge with? Gennady Golovkin has a superior amateur pedigree, better boxing skills, and, while hittable, is also better, defensively.

This has been well-promoted, but Stevens just isn’t on the level of Golovkin. He’ll come to fight, get caught because of it, and put to sleep as early as the first round, but not likely later than the fifth. I just hope it’s over before Giovanni Segura–Tyson Marquez starts because, if not, it’ll have to wait on DVR.

Record: 19-9 [Hopkins W 12 Murat]

Michael Rosenthal, THE RING Magazine

Gennady Golovkin KO 7 Curtis Stevens: Curtis Stevens is 3-0 against decent opposition and on an upward trajectory since returning full-time to boxing.

Stevens’ punching power is impressive. No one will forget his one-punch stoppage of Saul Roman in his most recent fight. Gennady Golovkin is a different kind of beast, though.

Golovkin’s a complete fighter with crushing power and is at the peak of his abilities. All that will be too much for Stevens.

Record: 16-7 [Hopkins W 12 Murat]

Joseph Santoliquito/THE RING Magazine/RingTV.com/CBS Sports

Gennady Golovkin KO 8 Curtis Stevens: This should be fun while it lasts–and it may not last too long. I don’t think Curtis Stevens has the firepower to stay with Gennady Golovkin. But “Showtime” may harbor other ideas and feel he can trade with the power-puncher.

Stevens may try to outbox Golovkin early, but I see him eventually being pulled into Golovkin’s game, and that’s hard shots. Stevens may not be able to handle the heat Golovkin brings. Then again, not many have.

Record: 23-5 [Hopkins W 12 Murat]

Ryan Songalia, RingTV.com

Gennady Golovkin KO 5 Curtis Stevens: Sometimes an underdog calls out a champion because he knows he has what it takes and overcomes the odds. I don’t think this is one of those instances.

Curtis Stevens’ victory is overcoming the odds just to get to this point. Golovkin is another level above and has more weapons and firepower. At least that’s what I think.

Record: 10-4 [Bradley W 12 Marquez]

Rob Soucy, BoxingTalk.com

Gennady Golovkin UD 12 Curtis Stevens: I look for this fight to play out differently than most. Gennady Golovkin will do whatever he can to avoid getting hit clean by Curtis Stevens, who is an explosive puncher.

With that in mind, I believe Stevens will be much less aggressive than usual and look to box. In the wake of Golovkins recent highlight reel knockouts, one can forget how skilled he is.

Stevens is unafraid, however, and in his hometown, will stalk Golovkin but probably won’t be able to land his explosive left hook.

However, if Stevens does land, it could be lights out for Golovkin. I look for Gololvkin to stay out of harms way for the most part and win by clear decision.

Record: 11-5 [Hopkins UD 12 Murat]

Bob Velin, USA Today

Gennady Golovkin mid-round KO Curtis Stevens: Curtis Stevens’ power display was impressive in his last fight, but Saul Roman was, by comparison, a weak opponent.

Stevens has never faced anyone like Gennady Golovkin, who can do it all in the ring, and whose awesome power belies his baby face.

Golovkin will patiently await his chance, then go in for the kill sometime in the middle rounds. Golovkin might be top five pound-for-pound in the world right now. And he will only get better.

Record: 16-6 [Hopkins TKO 9 Murat]

Dominic Verdin, RingTV.com

Gennady Golovkin KO 8 Curtis Stevens: The question here is has Gennady Golovkin’s penchant for wrecking opponents in the ring reached its capacity as the highest knockout percentage by any current champion?

Curtis Stevens has the capability of producing power himself, and can match the man known as Triple-G. But can Stevens absorb the volume of destructive power shots for a full twelve rounds?

The end will surely come with a strike from Golovkin, and shortly thereafter, Stevens’ corner will put a halt to the fight inside eight punishing rounds.

Record: 1-2 [Alvarado W 12 Provodnikov]

Anson Wainwright, RingTV.com

Gennady Golovkin KO 4 Curtis Stevens: This has the look of a really fan-friendly shootout between two heavy-handed fighters. Gennady Golovkin is the obvious favorite with his vast amateur pedigree.

Golovkin is also the current WBA middleweight champion, having made eight successful defenses, including a brutal win last time over Matthew Macklin, whom he nearly broke in half in his most recent fight.

While Curtis Stevens is best known for his power, and is coming off a highlight reel knock out of his own last time out over Saul Roman, early on, I expect both to be a little weary of the others power.

Golovkin will take the initiative, using his sharper skills to pick Stevens off. After a couple of rounds of being out-boxed, Stevens will take a few more risks to try to land something of his own and walk into GGG’s devastating power. Game over.

Record: 10-6 [Hopkins W 12 Murat]

By the one-sided total of 24-0, the experts give Curtis Stevens little chance of dethroning Gennady Golovkin as WBA middleweight titleholder.

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