Pundits select their picks for Monte Carlo clash
Friday 20 February 2015 12:55, UK
The Sky Sports experts make their predictions as Martin Murray prepares to face WBA champion Gennady Golovkin on Saturday night...
Golovkin by late stoppage
I have to be straight to the point. I really hope Martin does it, I really do, but I just can't see it happening unfortunately. He has got the best defence out there of any Golovkin's opponents and maybe he is the toughest test yet for him, especially if you look back at those two performances when he just fell short, against Sergio Martinez and Felix Sturm.
But I think Golovkin is the second best fighter in the world behind Floyd Mayweather and is practically unbeatable. Martin's size will come into play and I hope it balance things out a bit. It would be great if he could go the distance, nick a few rounds, and pushed him all the way. It was 25 years ago that Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson and stranger things have happened, but I would have to go for Golovkin, late stoppage.
Golovkin on points
Like most of us, I don't think there is much chance of Murray beating him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he managed to take him the 12 rounds. He's very tough, works behind that tight defence and doesn't get caught cleanly that often. The trouble is, if Martin believes he can win it and goes for it, he could leave himself open and Golovkin doesn't need a second chance to knock people out.
I just don't see any weakness in him – even in his amateur career – and I don't see him losing as long as he stays at middleweight. We know what is coming Murray's way. I think he will show how good that defence is, but it will be Golovkin on points. Comfortably as well.
Golovkin by stoppage
I've been trying to work out how he beats him, what weaknesses he can work on; is he going to fight? Is he going to box? Well, we know he has good basics, we know he's tough and will be in the best shape of his life, so maybe he will be the first man to to push Golovkin back. He likes to come forward, swarm all over the opponent, but we don't know how good he is on the back-foot. No-one has managed to force him back but it is goes much deeper than that; Murray has to bully him, win hard and win ugly, IF he can. And that's a big, big if!
I hope he does but I just can't see Golovkin losing to anyone at middleweight, I really can't. He's got all the tools and I think this could be a late and brave stoppage, with Murray probably still on his feet, just taking a barrage. Golovkin wins in the middle to late rounds.
Golovkin on points
I hope to God that Martin can win. He’s a mate of mine and I’ve known him for many years. There’s nothing more I would like than him to come through and win this fight. But Golovkin is a daunting task and we’ve seen him wipe away top class middleweights with ease. I’m not saying that Martin will get the same fate as that, I think he is technically and physically capable of holding those shots. He’s got a good jab, works the body well and very rarely gets caught by a clean shot.
I think he’ll put up a real stiff test, probably Golovkin’s toughest test to date, but I just think that Golovkin will have that little bit too much for him. Murray’s tight defence will stand him in good stead and will push Golovkin more than anyone has before, but I think he’ll ultimately come up short, with his reputation intact. I’ve got a feeling he takes him the distance, put up a great effort in a points defeat. I really hope I’m wrong though as Martin is a good mate of mine.
Golovkin by late stoppage
This is going to be the first scare of Golovkin's career. I don't expect him to get beaten, but I do expect Martin to push him hard and put him through a rollercoaster ride. I honestly think he will touch down at some stage, I really do. Murray is so fit, he won't stop until he has to – and that will be the outcome. Golovkin's punch power is the deciding factor, but we will see a side we have never had to see before.
People have tried to stay on the back foot and out of range, but I want Martin to go the other way; take it to him, put him on his back foot and try to stop him setting the pace. Golovkin does that to people and does it so well, but I just know that Murray will not be as easy as the rest. Is he going to beat him? I'm afraid not, but he will give him a scare and at the very least go close to putting him down. Sadly though it is only going to end one way... Golovkin wins. A late stoppage, around about the middle to late rounds.
