How much longer does GGG have on top?

[Guelwaar]

No doubt GGG is one of the biggest names in boxing. His popularity has grown a lot in the last couple of years due to heavy promotion from HBO, and, leading up to the kell brook fight, a series of emphatic KO's showcasing his devastating punching power. That's why i'm asking the relevant (to fight fans) question: how much longer does he have on top?

On the one hand, GGG is now pushing 36....that's old for a mw. yeah there are guys who can still perform at an elite level at 36 and beyond (SSM, floyd mayweather, hopkins) but those guys are anomalies. At 36 most fighters are over the hill and in a steep decline...a few here and there might be able to extend their expiration date (JMM, Antonio tarver), but at that age, a fighter's career is pretty much over.

What GGG has going for him is: he had a late start to his pro-career, so he doesn't have as many miles on him as a typical 36 yo fighter. He also has a big punch, which is something that fighters tend to maintain even as their other skills are starting to deteriorate.

On the other hand, GGG's last three fights would be cause for concern among his fans. Kell brook easily outboxed GGG and made him look slow and easy to hit, unfortunately brook was too small and couldn't continue after GGG broke brooks eye socket. Had brook been able to avoid the injury, it looked like he had all the tools to beat GGG pretty convinicingly.

Danny Jacobs beat GGG 8-4 in rounds on my scorecard. with the kd, it amounts to a 7-5 win for jacobs..i consider jacobs to be GGG's first loss...but what struck me was the way jacobs outboxed GGG, beat him up and make GGG look like a very ordinary fighter.

I had canelo alvarez winning a razor close 7-5 decision over GGG, but i could certainly see a draw or a one-point win for GGG...but canelo was a smaller guy moving UP in weight and known for stamina problems and he had no problem competing on even terms for the entire fight, even winning the closing rounds.

so, the question is: Do these last 3 fights indicate GGG is getting old or is it just that he's starting to fight top level opposition after beating a bunch of very weak competition...for example, GGG's biggest "wins" (geale, rubio, stevens. lemieux) were undermined by the ease with which those guys were handled by less-heralded fighters.

My assessment is: it's the level of competition that's showing up GGG's limitations. However, at the age of 36 we don't really expect him to get better...his timing and reflexes and physical equipment is not gonna improve. therefore, the next time he steps in there with a top mw (saunders, charlo, jacobs, canelo, andrade) there's a good chance he will struggle and most likely lose.

At this rate, i think 2018 is the year GGG loses (assuming he gets in there with a solid top fighter) his first decision...after 2018, i think he'll be vulnerable to getting KO'd. That is to say, if he fights more willie monroes and dominique wades, he'll look great and he'll be able to hold onto his marquee value...but i think he's gotten as far as his abilities will take him... and at this point, facing top comp and the effects of aging will leave him vulnerable.

[jamamb]

hell get that first official L if he rematches canelo

[Cent0089]

IMO he is still at prime. Rematch with Canelo will tell us if he can be on top next years

[DrDuke]

I guess, Canelo will outbox GGG in the rematch. I gave the 1st bout to GGG, but, in my opinion, Canelo had learned GGG in the 1st fight and he would engage more in the 2nd one.

[Badhusker]

I guess, Canelo will outbox GGG in the rematch. I gave the 1st bout to GGG, but, in my opinion, Canelo had learned GGG in the 1st fight and he would engage more in the 2nd one.

Canelo needs to fight for more than one minute of each round to legitimately win, but he doesn't have the stamina to do it. GGG will push him into fighting even more this time, and a fatigued Canelo will make mistakes that GGG will make him pay for. That said, GGG still needs to stop Canelo to get the win. If Canelo is smart, he will get on his bike again in the rematch.

[apollo creed]

If he gets dominated by Canelo in rematch then it's the time to call it a day.

[Tanzio]

While I disagree with you on both the Jacobs and Gingerhead fights, I pretty much concur with the rest of your excellent post.

[boxing_rocks]

He may not have long left, but this year was successful.

[G.McClellan]

I guess, Canelo will outbox GGG in the rematch. I gave the 1st bout to GGG, but, in my opinion, Canelo had learned GGG in the 1st fight and he would engage more in the 2nd one.

Canelo needs to fight for more than one minute of each round to legitimately win, but he doesn't have the stamina to do it. GGG will push him into fighting even more this time, and a fatigued Canelo will make mistakes that GGG will make him pay for. That said, GGG still needs to stop Canelo to get the win. If Canelo is smart, he will get on his bike again in the rematch.

The truth.

[G.McClellan]

I think Golovkin has three years at the top, given who he shares the middleweight division with at present.
I disagree with the OP. Golovkin beat Jacobs handily and was robbed in the Canelo fight. The only reason more isn't made of the draw with Canelo, is because it, financially, favours Golovkin to have a rematch with Canelo.

[Tanzio]

I think Golovkin has three years at the top, given who he shares the middleweight division with at present.
I disagree with the OP. Golovkin beat Jacobs handily and was robbed in the Canelo fight. The only reason more isn't made of the draw with Canelo, is because it, financially, favours Golovkin to have a rematch with Canelo.

. . . and many of us were surprised that he even got the draw.

[SenorPipino]

How much longer?

The joyride ends for Golovkin on Cinco de Mayo (That's May 5 for the Spanish challenged).

This time emphatically.

[caldo2025]

I’m as tired as GGG must be at this point with these types of posts or criticisms. GGG’s last 3 fights were tougher than any other boxer’s resume. I challenge you to find a fighter that has come remotely close to fighting the quality that GGG has.

He defeated a huge Jacobs on his home turf while being outweighed by at least 20 pounds on fight night. He won. He faced an undefeated Brook who again outweighed him and he broke Brooks face before half the fight was over. Then he capped it off by beating a running for his life Canelo on everyone’s scorecard. We all knew he needed a KO to get the win that night.

GGG hasn’t slipped at all. His level of opposition was top quality and bc he didn’t knock them all out, he’s slipping. There’s a reason why KO ratios slip with the top fighters like Floyd and Manny. It’s bc of the level of opposition. Floyd and Many could have continued knocking everyone out had they not fought the top talents. GGG HASN’T SLIPPED. HE’S JUST FIGHTING BETTER QUALITY. Jacobs barely finished the fight on his feet and Canelo ran the whole night. If Canelo stands his ground in May, he will be the next ko victim. GGG is the same GOAT at MW.

[KiwiRider]

Next year will show how he goes. After Canelo he does have some mandatories to attend to, assuming he wins. If he loses, I think he struggles to get opponents without the belts. Canelo probably will let the belts go, heaven forbid him having to fight someone he doesn't choose or doesn't make the required money.

[RScarf1]

A writer for Fight Hype predicts Canelo will stop GGG in the sixth round. Wishful thinking.

[Guelwaar]

I’m as tired as GGG must be at this point with these types of posts or criticisms. GGG’s last 3 fights were tougher than any other boxer’s resume. I challenge you to find a fighter that has come remotely close to fighting the quality that GGG has.

He defeated a huge Jacobs on his home turf while being outweighed by at least 20 pounds on fight night. He won. He faced an undefeated Brook who again outweighed him and he broke Brooks face before half the fight was over. Then he capped it off by beating a running for his life Canelo on everyone’s scorecard. We all knew he needed a KO to get the win that night.

GGG hasn’t slipped at all. His level of opposition was top quality and bc he didn’t knock them all out, he’s slipping. There’s a reason why KO ratios slip with the top fighters like Floyd and Manny. It’s bc of the level of opposition. Floyd and Many could have continued knocking everyone out had they not fought the top talents. GGG HASN’T SLIPPED. HE’S JUST FIGHTING BETTER QUALITY. Jacobs barely finished the fight on his feet and Canelo ran the whole night. If Canelo stands his ground in May, he will be the next ko victim. GGG is the same GOAT at MW.

don't know what ggg-jacobs fight you were watching...on the night of the fight, i was watching live on tv and most of the posters online had jacobs winning...by a pretty convincing margin. i rewatched the fight recently and had it a very clear win for jacobs....when you say jacobs barely finished the fight on his feet, i don't know what you're talking about...jacobs looked very comfortable slapping ggg around the ring in the last 2 rounds....as for the size difference, how come ggg fans get to complain about fighters cutting weight?...if so, i can give you a ton of examples of fighters coming in way over the weight limit on fight night and you'd defend them to the end....

secondly, brook might have been heavier, but no question he was two weight classes smaller...and things happen in boxing. it wasn't like ggg outboxed or outfought brook...he landed one good shot in the first round that broke kells eyesocket...that's why kell gave up. other than that, he was handling ggg with ease.

no question the level of ggg's competition has gone up. i don't think he's really showed signs of slippage either....my point was that at 36, he's not gonna get faster or stronger...and given his performances in his last 3 fights, he's clearly not the best at mw...he's in the mix among the top at that weight class...but if canelo could give him that kind of trouble, imagine what andrade would do.

[CasualQuaker]

He’s already on the slide (just for me) and I’d back Canelo to get the job done if they have the rematch.

[caldo2025]

I’m as tired as GGG must be at this point with these types of posts or criticisms. GGG’s last 3 fights were tougher than any other boxer’s resume. I challenge you to find a fighter that has come remotely close to fighting the quality that GGG has.

He defeated a huge Jacobs on his home turf while being outweighed by at least 20 pounds on fight night. He won. He faced an undefeated Brook who again outweighed him and he broke Brooks face before half the fight was over. Then he capped it off by beating a running for his life Canelo on everyone’s scorecard. We all knew he needed a KO to get the win that night.

GGG hasn’t slipped at all. His level of opposition was top quality and bc he didn’t knock them all out, he’s slipping. There’s a reason why KO ratios slip with the top fighters like Floyd and Manny. It’s bc of the level of opposition. Floyd and Many could have continued knocking everyone out had they not fought the top talents. GGG HASN’T SLIPPED. HE’S JUST FIGHTING BETTER QUALITY. Jacobs barely finished the fight on his feet and Canelo ran the whole night. If Canelo stands his ground in May, he will be the next ko victim. GGG is the same GOAT at MW.

don't know what ggg-jacobs fight you were watching...on the night of the fight, i was watching live on tv and most of the posters online had jacobs winning...by a pretty convincing margin. i rewatched the fight recently and had it a very clear win for jacobs....when you say jacobs barely finished the fight on his feet, i don't know what you're talking about...jacobs looked very comfortable slapping ggg around the ring in the last 2 rounds....as for the size difference, how come ggg fans get to complain about fighters cutting weight?...if so, i can give you a ton of examples of fighters coming in way over the weight limit on fight night and you'd defend them to the end....

secondly, brook might have been heavier, but no question he was two weight classes smaller...and things happen in boxing. it wasn't like ggg outboxed or outfought brook...he landed one good shot in the first round that broke kells eyesocket...that's why kell gave up. other than that, he was handling ggg with ease.

no question the level of ggg's competition has gone up. i don't think he's really showed signs of slippage either....my point was that at 36, he's not gonna get faster or stronger...and given his performances in his last 3 fights, he's clearly not the best at mw...he's in the mix among the top at that weight class...but if canelo could give him that kind of trouble, imagine what andrade would do.

I've been doing this long enough to know when someone has an agenda. You aren't a GGG fan and that's obvious. And that's ok. You are also obviously not a very knowledgeable boxing fan and that's ok too because you can learn. Anyone that knows anything about boxing scored the fight clearly for GGG.

The GGG/Jacobs weight difference that night was far different than what you are referring to. Jacobs strategically decided to not fight for the IBF Belt the day of the fight and hence was not required to make weight the day of the fight. GGG still had to or else he would have had to forfeit the belt. That's WAY difference than a guy that just gains 25 pounds over night because both guys have the same opportunity to add fluids and get them as heavy as possible. In this fight, only one guy had to make weight the day of the fight while the other could gouge himself with food and liquids. That's an unfair advantage. Again, you probably didn't know this because I'm assuming that if you do not know how to score a fight then you don't care much about the intricacies regarding the details of the fights.

I'm not mad about it. I thought that it was a genius move by Jacobs but it does scream of desperation to pull something like that off in a big fight like this. In fact, the IBF has since changed it's rules regarding the second weight in as a result so if that isn't obvious that the weight clause made a huge difference in this one, then I'd prefer not to have a discourse with someone that doesn't appreciate facts as they relate to results. No Offense.

[Badhusker]

The way GGG trains and takes care of himself, I would say he can fight until he is 40 and still be at least top 3 in the middleweight division. His skills are under-rated in part because he is not a flashy boxer, but all business. He cuts off the ring like no other, can fight inside and out, punches very hard, and has the stamina to keep it up for 12 rounds.

I am guessing most Mexicans wish GGG was Mexican, because he fights with that kind of heart. Canelo gets red-faced and gassed after fighting hard for a minute, then has to showboat or get on his bike to take a breather. He fooled the judges last time, and that probably won't change.

GGG isn't slipping imo, just getting tested more. I honestly think he could have pressed and stopped Jacobs, but it took that tough fight to let Canelo and his team they have a chance. Canelo waited two years for GGG to slip, but should have waited five. One thing Canelo has going for him is the style GGG has is normally the style he looks good against. What he didn't bank on was the guy that is nearly 10 yrs older having more stamina than he does.

Canelo stop GGG? He will have to truly fight full rounds to get that done, and I don't think he is capable or willing to risk that. I hope he tries, and gets KO'd himself.

[jamesmcdonnell]

The way GGG trains and takes care of himself, I would say he can fight until he is 40 and still be at least top 3 in the middleweight division. His skills are under-rated in part because he is not a flashy boxer, but all business. He cuts off the ring like no other, can fight inside and out, punches very hard, and has the stamina to keep it up for 12 rounds.

I am guessing most Mexicans wish GGG was Mexican, because he fights with that kind of heart. Canelo gets red-faced and gassed after fighting hard for a minute, then has to showboat or get on his bike to take a breather. He fooled the judges last time, and that probably won't change.

GGG isn't slipping imo, just getting tested more. I honestly think he could have pressed and stopped Jacobs, but it took that tough fight to let Canelo and his team they have a chance. Canelo waited two years for GGG to slip, but should have waited five. One thing Canelo has going for him is the style GGG has is normally the style he looks good against. What he didn't bank on was the guy that is nearly 10 yrs older having more stamina than he does.

Canelo stop GGG? He will have to truly fight full rounds to get that done, and I don't think he is capable or willing to risk that. I hope he tries, and gets KO'd himself.

I agree. I think that GGG has faced better opposition, and started to look human. Canelo is no slouch. I think though that GGG needs to press the fight way more than he did I stead of trying to outbox canelo using the jab.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I’m as tired as GGG must be at this point with these types of posts or criticisms. GGG’s last 3 fights were tougher than any other boxer’s resume. I challenge you to find a fighter that has come remotely close to fighting the quality that GGG has.

He defeated a huge Jacobs on his home turf while being outweighed by at least 20 pounds on fight night. He won. He faced an undefeated Brook who again outweighed him and he broke Brooks face before half the fight was over. Then he capped it off by beating a running for his life Canelo on everyone’s scorecard. We all knew he needed a KO to get the win that night.

GGG hasn’t slipped at all. His level of opposition was top quality and bc he didn’t knock them all out, he’s slipping. There’s a reason why KO ratios slip with the top fighters like Floyd and Manny. It’s bc of the level of opposition. Floyd and Many could have continued knocking everyone out had they not fought the top talents. GGG HASN’T SLIPPED. HE’S JUST FIGHTING BETTER QUALITY. Jacobs barely finished the fight on his feet and Canelo ran the whole night. If Canelo stands his ground in May, he will be the next ko victim. GGG is the same GOAT at MW.

don't know what ggg-jacobs fight you were watching...on the night of the fight, i was watching live on tv and most of the posters online had jacobs winning...by a pretty convincing margin. i rewatched the fight recently and had it a very clear win for jacobs....when you say jacobs barely finished the fight on his feet, i don't know what you're talking about...jacobs looked very comfortable slapping ggg around the ring in the last 2 rounds....as for the size difference, how come ggg fans get to complain about fighters cutting weight?...if so, i can give you a ton of examples of fighters coming in way over the weight limit on fight night and you'd defend them to the end....

secondly, brook might have been heavier, but no question he was two weight classes smaller...and things happen in boxing. it wasn't like ggg outboxed or outfought brook...he landed one good shot in the first round that broke kells eyesocket...that's why kell gave up. other than that, he was handling ggg with ease.

no question the level of ggg's competition has gone up. i don't think he's really showed signs of slippage either....my point was that at 36, he's not gonna get faster or stronger...and given his performances in his last 3 fights, he's clearly not the best at mw...he's in the mix among the top at that weight class...but if canelo could give him that kind of trouble, imagine what andrade would do.

No way was brook handling GGG. You are mad if you believe that.

[jewboypgh]

He be at the top as long as he want

[man]

he is slightly passed prime right now.

[jamesmcdonnell]

He be at the top as long as he want

Er, no he can't. People age.

[gilgamesh]

Depends on the matchmaking. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets his first loss in the Canelo rematch...whether or not it'll be a legitimate loss or not we'll have to wait and see.