Golovkin Quiets Stevens, Sets Return Date

Curtis “Showtime” Stevens (25-4) was simply left to boast that he displayed heart and will in the ring during his post-fight press conference.  It was all Stevens had to show for after lasting eight rounds with the Kazakh middleweight champion that continues to steamroll whomever is set in front of him.  Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (28-0) hurt Stevens early and often per his usual script, battering Stevens into literal submission – with his corner stopping the fight after the eighth round. 

Stevens, who was selling his chances of springing an upset and creating a shock at MSG throughout the lead-up to the fight, found it difficult from the onset.  An early surprise to most was Stevens ability to simply survive the second round where left hooks unleashed by GGG had Stevens down and hurt on the canvas.   Golovkin’s persistent pursuit saw Stevens simply trying to survive a constant barrage of a jabs, left hooks, and attack on his body.  Stevens’ heart and will could only endure so much damage though and the TKO came after Andre Rozier informed the ref enough had been enough at the end of the eighth round.

Stevens continually boasted that his hard-hitting style and sturdy chin were part of the recipe needed to stop GGG but instead Golovkin sees his knockout rate increase to 89% (25 of 28), the highest of any active titleholder.  Golovkin was up comfortably on all three scorecards (80-71, 79-71, 79-72) and found it to simply be another evening at the office.  Landing 49% of his power shots according to Compubox, Golovkin was never in duress.

GGG improved to 4-0 in 2013 and expressed his desire to get a crack at lineal champ Sergio Martinez but boxing insiders insist that fight has a remote chance of happening due to various reasons.  GGG fans won’t have to wait too long though, as his promoter announced post-fight that there is already a deal in place to see GGG fight on February 1st in Monte Carlo.