"The more it ripens, the less it boasts: Golovkin" - On 'Respect' and 'Pride'

The nephew of my junior high school homeroom teacher was the Japanese welterweight boxing champion at the time, and after going to see his match with my teacher, I was completely hooked on the sport's charm. I have loved boxing ever since.

I would like to participate in this project by Mashako-san. Thank you very much.🙇

My criteria for a 'favorite' in boxing is not just about being strong, but

being full of respect for one's opponent and possessing an unwavering sense of pride in oneself.

that is what it is.

In Japan, it is Naoya Inoue.

Overseas, Gennady Golovkin (Kazakhstan) is my absolute favorite.

In this piece, I would like to focus on Golovkin.

The other day, I had the opportunity to look back at some notes I wrote about the match between Golovkin and Ryota Murata that took place two years ago,

and I felt strongly that I wanted to rewrite them for NOTE as a 2024 version to convey the charm of Golovkin.

Just as I was feeling that way, I found this wonderful project, so I have rewritten those notes and would like to share them below.

🥊🥊🥊🥊🥊

The WBA World Middleweight Super Champion Ryota Murata (Teiken) and IBF Middleweight Champion Gennady Golovkin (Kazakhstan) fought in a title unification match at the Saitama Super Arena on April 9, 2022, where Golovkin won by a 9th-round TKO.

For me, a boxing fan of over 30 years, Golovkin is a special athlete who continues to captivate me with his:

1. Overwhelming offensive (punching) power, 2. Solid defensive skills honed as an amateur, 3. Phenomenal durability (a resilient chin).

He is a special athlete who continues to captivate me.

Regarding 1 and 3 in particular, I can confidently say that there is no athlete better than him, and his fighting style is ultra-aggressive and never fails to keep the audience entertained.

The match, which I had been looking forward to so much that I felt like I was going to throw up right before it started, turned out to be an incredible battle that exceeded my expectations.

Beyond the win or loss, I simply felt,

"I'm glad I'm a boxing fan."

I want to soak in the afterglow with that feeling.

One of the reasons for the great match was that Murata never backed down and kept throwing punches even against a rare hard puncher.

It was truly brave.

And the biggest reason was,

that both fighters showed the utmost respect for each other.

That is what I felt.

Before, during, and after the match.

Throughout the entire time involved in this match, it was clearly evident that this sentiment was held by both fighters.

Golovkin does not act superior or put on a tough front.

He is always gentlemanly, responds smartly without flinching when there is excessive provocation, and never makes disparaging remarks about his opponent.

He is a true "real champion" who teaches us that if you have true strength, there is no need to mount or pull others down.

Watching the match progress and unfold intensely while "respect" and "respect" resonated with each other was truly refreshing and had a superb quality to it.

Combat sports are, as the characters suggest, a "fight."

Many people may have an image of "hostility" clashing with "hostility," but I feel that it is outdated to hype things up by excessively boasting about oneself or looking down on the opponent more than necessary.

When I see high-class "real deals" like Golovkin and Naoya Inoue,

I feel that "champions like these will become the mainstream from now on."

This trend is not limited to the boxing world, and I think that people who mount or pull others down will gradually become unnecessary in the coming era and will naturally be weeded out.

"Always treat people with respect"

It was also an opportunity to learn about such an important "way of being as a person" for the coming era.

Murata-senshu, thank you very much for your hard work. I was moved by your wonderful spirit.

And, Golovkin was strong~.

His next fight will likely be against his fated rival, Canelo Alvarez. As a fan, I will support him with all my might.

🥊A🥊f🥊t🥊e🥊r🥊w🥊o🥊r🥊d🥊

When rewriting this, I watched the fight video again yesterday, and as expected, a wonderful match where 'respect resonates' is moving no matter how many times you watch it.

About five months after this fight.

Golovkin lost the fated rubber match against Canelo Alvarez and has not stepped into the ring since.

At 42 years old, he is quite advanced in age for a boxer, and a noticeable decline was evident in the Canelo fight. Also, having been elected president of the Kazakhstan National Olympic Committee this year, while he has not yet made an official retirement announcement, it is quite possible he will hang up his gloves for good.

As a fan, whatever decision he makes, I want to support and cheer for him.

From his debut, when he had no major backing despite his amateur achievements, he steadily built his record with his fists, one by one, and climbed to the status of a legend as the 'King of the Middleweights'—a 'proud and kind-hearted true champion,' Golovkin.

For those with absolutely no interest in combat sports, you might be thinking, "What are you talking about?" but,

please, try watching one of his fights just once.

You might just get hooked on his 'frighteningly strong' fighting style and his 'strength of character'~😊