Gennady Golovkin vs. Steve Rolls???

[Enlightened-One]

Former middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin will make his DAZN debut on June 8 at Madison Square Garden, and ESPN reports that there are two opponents being considered for what will be a catchweight fight around 164 pounds.

The first name is Steve Rolls, a 34-year-old Canadian who turned pro in 2011. He’s unbeaten at 19-0 (10 KO), but hasn’t really fought anyone, either, his most notable win either his last one, a decision over KeAndrae Leatherwood on Dec. 15 in Toronto, or a 2017 split decision victory over Demond Nicholson.

The other name is Hassan N’dam, a former middleweight titleholder. N’dam, 35, has had a good career, going 37-3 (21 KO) overall, and can still fight, as he showed in December, beating Martin Murray on the road in England. He’s lost to Peter Quillin, David Lemieux, and Ryota Murata.

Thoughts?

[oogiebe]

Yeah, like how many threads are on GGG's next opponent. Couldn't we just post there? From what I hear, they are still considering N'Dam, who says he would be ready by fight time. The only thing Rolls has to his credit(?) is an undefeated record against nobodies. At least N'Dam has some decent opposition including splitting with Murata.

[Enlightened-One]

Yeah, like how many threads are on GGG's next opponent. Couldn't we just post there? From what I hear, they are still considering N'Dam, who says he would be ready by fight time. The only thing Rolls has to his credit(?) is an undefeated record against nobodies. At least N'Dam has some decent opposition including splitting with Murata.

Unfortunately I didn't see the "Golovkin vs. TBA" thread. I created this one to discuss Steve Rolls being identified as being a potential opponent. I didn't mean to tread on any toes.

As far as I'm concerned, the NYSAC should refuse to sanction a potential mismatch between GGG and Steve Rolls.

[oogiebe]

Unfortunately I didn't see the "Golovkin vs. TBA" thread. I created this one to discuss Steve Rolls being identified as being a potential opponent. I didn't mean to tread on any toes.

As far as I'm concerned, the NYSAC should refuse to sanction a potential mismatch between GGG and Steve Rolls.

Yeah, I don't get this potential matchup either, unless GGG is just getting some action while waiting for another Canelo match.

[SenorPipino]

Yeah, I don't get this potential matchup either, unless GGG is just getting some action while waiting for another Canelo match.

He'll probably have at least a year's wait. Maybe 1 1/2 years.

With the Andrade unification likely for September, it's Cinco de Mayo 2020 at the earliest.

But there's no shortage of Steve Rolls types to keep Golovkin occupied.

[ValMar]

He'll probably have at least a year's wait. Maybe 1 1/2 years.

With the Andrade unification likely for September, it's Cinco de Mayo 2020 at the earliest.

But there's no shortage of Steve Rolls types to keep Golovkin occupied.

I can not imagine the way for DAZN to get back the "big money" with this kind of fights. Who will pay to watch Rolls ?
Honestly, I have never heard for him.

[Enlightened-One]

But there's no shortage of Steve Rolls types to keep Golovkin occupied.

Assuming the rumour about Steve Rolls is true, what’s the point in a 37-year-old version of GGG wasting valuable time engaging in blatant mismatches against opposition that is almost certainly vastly inferior to the fighters he spars against in training camps?

I’m pretty shocked about GGG Promotions considering and contacting the likes of Steve Rolls, Hassan N'Dam, Kamil Szeremeta and Brandon Adams as potential opponents for his June 8th fight-date.

I’m hoping that all these rumours are untrue and that GGG’s team have been secretly negotiating the terms of a bout against a decent name, such as: Callum Smith, Demetrius Andrade, Jaime Munguia, Dmitry Bivol, Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Rob Brant etc. These guys are all available for the June fight-date.

[ValMar]

Assuming the rumour about Steve Rolls is true, what’s the point in a 37-year-old version of GGG wasting valuable time engaging in blatant mismatches against opposition that is almost certainly vastly inferior to the fighters he spars against in training camps?

I’m pretty shocked about GGG Promotions considering and contacting the likes of Steve Rolls, Hassan N'Dam, Kamil Szeremeta and Brandon Adams as potential opponents for his June 8th fight-date.

I’m hoping that all these rumours are untrue and that GGG’s team have been secretly negotiating the terms of a bout against a decent name, such as: Callum Smith, Demetrius Andrade, Jaime Munguia, Dmitry Bivol, Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Rob Brant etc. These guys are all available for the June fight-date.

Would Bivol be too much for GGG ?

[Enlightened-One]

Would Bivol be too much for GGG ?

Bivol intends to move down to 168lbs in order to secure big fights against marquee names.

We also need to consider the fact that Team GGG have persistently boasted about Golovkin’s ability to compete against and also beat the very best fighter's in their natural habitat, ranging from 154lbs to 175lbs. They also previously claimed that Gennady was even dominating world-rated cruiserweights in sparring.

Throughout the course of his career, Golovkin actually named lots of 168lb-ers he'd be willing to face.

[ValMar]

Bivol intends to move down to 168lbs in order to secure big fights against marquee names.

We also need to consider the fact that Team GGG have persistently boasted about Golovkin’s ability to compete against and also beat the very best fighter's in their natural habitat, ranging from 154lbs to 175lbs. They also previously claimed that Gennady was even dominating world-rated cruiserweights in sparring.

Throughout the course of his career, Golovkin actually named lots of 168lb-ers he'd be willing to face.

I think that Bivol would compete at SMW against Canelo only (an extremely lucrative fight).

[SenorPipino]

I can not imagine the way for DAZN to get back the "big money" with this kind of fights. Who will pay to watch Rolls ?
Honestly, I have never heard for him.

DAZN isn't terribly expensive, even with that predictable, recent price increase.

It's not exactly the kind of bout that will lure any new subscribers but hard cores and the curious will still watch.

If it was pushed as a PPV fight, it would struggle to reach 100,000.

But as part of the monthly package, it's acceptable.

Not too much different than ESPN offering a ho hum Fury-Schwarz on its + app.

Just to showcase the fighters and try to keep them relevant and in view.

[Enlightened-One]

I think that Bivol would compete at SMW against Canelo only (an extremely lucrative fight).

“I’m not a big guy for Light-Heavyweight, and I can make Super-Middleweight, and I said many times that I want the big fights,” said Bivol. By that I mean that I want to fight for belts. If someone has a belt in Super-Middleweight or Light-Heavyweight division, I would be glad to fight them.

“I know Callum Smith has a belt, and I would like to fight him if he wants to, and if our promoters can make this fight. I am open for every fight for the belt now. There are many names who have belts. To the top ten from Light-Heavyweight and Super-Middleweight: I’m ready to fight.

[ValMar]

“I’m not a big guy for Light-Heavyweight, and I can make Super-Middleweight, and I said many times that I want the big fights,” said Bivol. By that I mean that I want to fight for belts. If someone has a belt in Super-Middleweight or Light-Heavyweight division, I would be glad to fight them.

“I know Callum Smith has a belt, and I would like to fight him if he wants to, and if our promoters can make this fight. I am open for every fight for the belt now. There are many names who have belts. To the top ten from Light-Heavyweight and Super-Middleweight: I’m ready to fight.

OK, you might be right regarding Bivol's willingness to face Callum (or others at 168), but still I think that fight between Bivol and Golovkin would be pointless one.

[greg]

..when was the last time GGG claimed he planned to move up?

[KiwiRider]

I can not imagine the way for DAZN to get back the "big money" with this kind of fights. Who will pay to watch Rolls ?
Honestly, I have never heard for him.

I think most people opening this thread are thinking "who the heck is Steve Rolls"

[Enlightened-One]

..when was the last time GGG claimed he planned to move up?

Team GGG expressed interest in a Callum Smith fight end of October last year.

[greg]

Team GGG expressed interest in a Callum Smith fight end of October last year.

was it an official request?

[Enlightened-One]

was it an official request?

Tom Loeffler and Eddie Hearn both discussed it with the media.

I don’t think the discussions went any further, since GGG’s priority at the time was to negotiate a deal with a network.

Your question relating to GGG’s perceived interest in competing at 168lbs has already been answered though.

[jamamb]

looks like this bum fight is on, ggg daring to be great

[SenorPipino]

looks like this bum fight is on, ggg daring to be great

It's all about the biggest bouts and legacy

[jamamb]

yep, g is doing it for the fans

[Enlightened-One]

This is an utterly disgraceful fight! Gennady’s bout against Steve Rolls is obviously another Vanes Martirosyan-style mismatch. What the hell is Tom Loeffler and GGG Promotions thinking?

And what’s really frustrating is that many fight fans are actually angrier about Canelo facing Danny Jacobs next, followed up by Demetrius Andrade later on this year and then also mentioning Sergey Kovalev as a potential future opponent, whilst claiming that he’d still be open for a third bout against Golovkin.

As if any of those guys are worse than the sort of names that GGG has been linked with recently, such as: Steve Rolls, Hassan N'Dam, Kamil Szeremeta, Brandon Adams and John Ryder. FFS!

[Oiky]

I'm a big fan of ggg but there is no defending this bulls**t

[oogiebe]

Record padding day.

[SenorPipino]

On the plus side, tickets aren't overly expensive, with ringside going for just $750, not including fees.