Ten greatest Golovkin knockouts ahead of Brook bout

In his eventual sixth-round KO of Monroe Jr, ‘GGG’ had already sent his opponent to the floor with a chopping left hook, which the New Yorker was somehow able to get up form.

Although, proceedings came to an abrupt end when Golovkin hurt Monroe Jr with a flurry of punches against the ropes, the most damaging being a straight right which flew through his foe’s high guard. The referee was forced to call an end to the fight after Monroe Jr was clearly unable to continue.

Martin Murray, 2015

The reigning unified WBA Super, WBC, IBF and IBO middleweight titlist is currently on a rampant 22-KO streak since 2008, and of those forceful successes, it’s Liverpool’s Murray that has lasted longest in the ring with him.

Four-time world title challenger Murray battled into the 11th round of his match-up with Golovkin but, after sailing through the air from a brutal right hook and eating another vicious straight soon after, the referee intervened.

Marco Antonio Rubio, 2014

At California’s StubHub Center two years ago, ‘Triple GGG’ added Mexican fighter Rubio to his hitlist with a thunderous second-round stoppage.

Having pinned his opponent to the ropes, the Kazakh cleverly found a way past the Mexican’s guard with a thumping left hand, attacking Rubio over the top of his high held defence.

Matthew Macklin, 2013

Middleweight contender Macklin was previously seen as a stern challenger for Golovkin before their 2013 meeting, but the latter fighter soon put those ideas to bed in the third round of their Connecticut clash.

The middleweight champion used a right uppercut against Macklin while he defending against the ropes to set up his decisive blow, as he then delivered a gut-wrenching left hook to the body to end the bout.

Curtis Stevens, 2013

American contender Stevens entered his encounter with Golovkin with a big reputation for also possessing devastating power in shots, but he quickly realised what he was up against when being hurled to the canvas from a huge left hook early on.

Golovkin managed to land an incredible 56 of 100 attempted power shots in the decisive eighth round, as a late bombardment of heavy shots forced the official to step in and end Stevens’ night.

Nobuhiro Ishida, 2013

The dominant middleweight kingpin produced a brutal straight right to halt Japanese challenger Ishida in third round when the pair collided at the Salle des Etoiles in Monaco. One of his finest one-punch finishes.

Lajuan Simon, 2011

Before moving on to headline cards at more extravagant venues, Golovkin was still showcasing his destructive power in front of smaller crowds in 2011, including when halting American Simon in Germany.

The man known as ‘the God of War’ has recorded five first-round stoppages in his career to date, and this one against Philadelphia-born opponent Simon was arguably his best, as he swiftly slipped to his left and unleashed a crushing left hook.

Tshepo Mashego, 2008

Another first-round KO from earlier in Golovkin’s time in the professional ranks. The Kazakh was up against South African Mashego in an eight-round encounter in Germany, but halted proceedings early with a mammoth right hand which put his opponent out cold.

Lucian Bute, 2003

‘GGG’ enjoyed an impressive amateur career too, winning a Gold medal at middleweight during the 2003 World Championships, before rallying to Silver at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

During his run towards World Championship success, he overcame Ireland’s Andy Lee and viciously stopped former super-middleweight champion Bute with a huge fourth-round KO. Relive that stoppage from the archives below!

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Read our extensive boxing archive ahead of the big fight this weekend.

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