Gennady Golovkin is back! The mere mention of the Kazakh knockout artist’s name used to send fans in paroxysms of joy, but it seems things are a bit more subdued this time around. There’s only so many times you can get excited for GGG vs Some Guy, I guess. Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez is the support act, which sweetens the deal a little bit, though. There’s some other lower-weight action going on around the place too, but you might need to track down a stream if you live in the United States.
- Gennady Golovkin vs Dominic Wade, Saturday, HBO, Inglewood Calif. Golovkin continues his long wait for a marquee opponent at middleweight. Wade is certainly not that. The Maryland native has never faced an elite opponent; he’s not even in the top 10 of the division according to the TBRB. There’s not really much else to say. I’ll be shocked if he makes it out of the 3rd round with his senses intact. Golovkin is once again sharing a bill with flyweight and pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzalez. The Nicaraguan destroyer’s opponent, McWilliams Arroyo, is slightly more inspiring than Wade, but doesn’t figure to give Gonzalez much trouble. It could be fun, though.
- Ivan Redkach vs. Luis Cruz, Tuesday, Fox Sports 1/Fox Deportes, Bethlehem Penn. Ukrainian lightweight prospect Redkach is on the comeback trail after being overwhelmed by Montenegran Dejan Zlaticanan last year.
- Nonito Donaire vs. Zsolt Bedak, Saturday, Cebu City Philippines. Donaire defends the junior featherweight strap that he somehow has (?) against Bedak, a Hungarian club fighter. Donaire has struggled with less-than-great opponents recently, but I’m not sure he’s at struggle-with-Hungarian-club-fighter level yet.
- Carlos Cuadras vs. Richie Mepranum, Saturday, Los Mochis Mexico. Cuadras, ranked #2 at junior bantamweight, stays busy against fringe contender Mepranum.
