Prelims on now
What’s at stake?
With Golovkin putting his three middleweight titles on the line against Jacobs’ secondary WBA belt, the fight offers an opportunity for the winner to claim universal praise as the best in the division. For GGG, already a pound-for-pound stalwart, a victory might also give him a chance to call himself the very best in the world.
Jacobs has run through a string of opponents since coming back from cancer in 2012. But his quality of opposition has largely been panned, giving him a chance on Saturday to silence critics who claim he’s merely a hard puncher with a great back story and a questionablChris Algieri plays a key role in Daniel Jacobs’ camp
A victory for Golovkin could also launch him into the biggest fight of his career this fall should Canelo Alvarez, who has constantly put off the fight for two years, live up to his word. Alvarez-Golovkin is the best fight the sport could make (outside of Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor), but is equally dependent upon Alvarez defeating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in May.
Who has the edge?
1. Power: While both are among the best knockout artists in the sport, with a cumulative average of 90 percent between them, Golovkin has shown the kind of power that changes a fighter’s demeanor upon first contact. He not only broke Matthew Macklin’s ribs with a hook to the body, causing a scream from the canvas that most on press row can still hear in their nightmares, he knocked out Daniel Geale on a counter punch while backpedaling and absorbing a clean shot to the face. GGG’s 23 consecutive KOs speak for itself, especially against a higher level of competition. Advantage: Golovkin
2. Speed: Jacobs will likely be the most athletic natural middleweight that Golovkin has faced, with good hand speed and agility. Golovkin isn’t the fastest fighter but uses incredible footwork, technique and the threat of his power to offset that. One of Jacobs’ best traits is that he’s a natural finisher and knows when to pour it on with lightning quick power shots -- as showcased against Peter Quillin in 2015 -- when he has his man hurt. Advantage: Jacobs
3. Defense: Golovkin’s style of constantly attacking provides natural opportunities for opponents to counter -- a byproduct of having such an aggressive style. But it’s also up to them to have the chin to stand in there and take his best shots in order to land their own, which no fighter has been able to do for a full 12 rounds. Ultimately, the notion that GGG is defensively deficient has been overblown. When he sought out to avoid David Lemieux’s powerful left hook, he worked behind his jab and was largely untouched until the stoppage win. And statistically, according to CompuBox, he was second only to Vasyl Lomachenko among active fighters in plus/minus, which measures your connect percentage against your opponents. Advantage: Even
4. Technique: With over 350 amateur fights and a silver medal from the 2004 Olympics, Golovkin’s clinical ability to box is ultimately what has separated him from his opponents as a professional. For such a high-volume and destructive puncher, Golovkin doesn’t waste shots and is rarely, if ever, off balance. No one in the sport cuts off the ring as effectively as he does. While Jacobs was a strong amateur himself and offers more balance between boxing and punching than any of Golovkin’s opponents thus far, GGG is where he’s at for a reason. Advantage: Golovkin
5. Intangibles: Jacobs has already defeated an opponent much more dangerous than Golovkin when he beat an aggressive form of cancer that nearly took his life. Because of that, he’s incredibly determined and fearless. But when two power punchers collide, something ultimately has to separate them. In this case, it comes to their chins. Golovkin prides himself on never being knocked down through over 400 combined amateur or professional bouts. He has said multiple times he has still never been hurt or dazed inside a boxing ring. Jacobs, meanwhile, has been knocked out once and was floored during his 2015 victory over light-punching Sergio Mora, which has caused many to question whether he will be able to give and take against GGG. Advantage: Golovkin
What’s at stake?
With Golovkin putting his three middleweight titles on the line against Jacobs’ secondary WBA belt, the fight offers an opportunity for the winner to claim universal praise as the best in the division. For GGG, already a pound-for-pound stalwart, a victory might also give him a chance to call himself the very best in the world.
Jacobs has run through a string of opponents since coming back from cancer in 2012. But his quality of opposition has largely been panned, giving him a chance on Saturday to silence critics who claim he’s merely a hard puncher with a great back story and a questionablChris Algieri plays a key role in Daniel Jacobs’ camp
A victory for Golovkin could also launch him into the biggest fight of his career this fall should Canelo Alvarez, who has constantly put off the fight for two years, live up to his word. Alvarez-Golovkin is the best fight the sport could make (outside of Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor), but is equally dependent upon Alvarez defeating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in May.
Who has the edge?
1. Power: While both are among the best knockout artists in the sport, with a cumulative average of 90 percent between them, Golovkin has shown the kind of power that changes a fighter’s demeanor upon first contact. He not only broke Matthew Macklin’s ribs with a hook to the body, causing a scream from the canvas that most on press row can still hear in their nightmares, he knocked out Daniel Geale on a counter punch while backpedaling and absorbing a clean shot to the face. GGG’s 23 consecutive KOs speak for itself, especially against a higher level of competition. Advantage: Golovkin
2. Speed: Jacobs will likely be the most athletic natural middleweight that Golovkin has faced, with good hand speed and agility. Golovkin isn’t the fastest fighter but uses incredible footwork, technique and the threat of his power to offset that. One of Jacobs’ best traits is that he’s a natural finisher and knows when to pour it on with lightning quick power shots -- as showcased against Peter Quillin in 2015 -- when he has his man hurt. Advantage: Jacobs
3. Defense: Golovkin’s style of constantly attacking provides natural opportunities for opponents to counter -- a byproduct of having such an aggressive style. But it’s also up to them to have the chin to stand in there and take his best shots in order to land their own, which no fighter has been able to do for a full 12 rounds. Ultimately, the notion that GGG is defensively deficient has been overblown. When he sought out to avoid David Lemieux’s powerful left hook, he worked behind his jab and was largely untouched until the stoppage win. And statistically, according to CompuBox, he was second only to Vasyl Lomachenko among active fighters in plus/minus, which measures your connect percentage against your opponents. Advantage: Even
4. Technique: With over 350 amateur fights and a silver medal from the 2004 Olympics, Golovkin’s clinical ability to box is ultimately what has separated him from his opponents as a professional. For such a high-volume and destructive puncher, Golovkin doesn’t waste shots and is rarely, if ever, off balance. No one in the sport cuts off the ring as effectively as he does. While Jacobs was a strong amateur himself and offers more balance between boxing and punching than any of Golovkin’s opponents thus far, GGG is where he’s at for a reason. Advantage: Golovkin
5. Intangibles: Jacobs has already defeated an opponent much more dangerous than Golovkin when he beat an aggressive form of cancer that nearly took his life. Because of that, he’s incredibly determined and fearless. But when two power punchers collide, something ultimately has to separate them. In this case, it comes to their chins. Golovkin prides himself on never being knocked down through over 400 combined amateur or professional bouts. He has said multiple times he has still never been hurt or dazed inside a boxing ring. Jacobs, meanwhile, has been knocked out once and was floored during his 2015 victory over light-punching Sergio Mora, which has caused many to question whether he will be able to give and take against GGG. Advantage: Golovkin
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