20 little-known facts about Gennady Golovkin

15. Golovkin has only fought once as a pro in his native Kazakhstan

What’s remarkable about Gennady Golovkin’s ascent is that he’s managed to cultivate a rabid fan following and various home bases around the United States, without having had the benefit of using his native Kazakhstan as a springboard. Make no mistake, Golovkin is revered in his native country and his fellow Kazakh’s are a major presence at all of his fights, but it’s surprising to note that he has only fought in his own backyard once as a pro.

Golovkin’s only homecoming bout came somewhat poetically in his twentieth contest, in 2010, against Nilson Julio Tapia. Of even greater significance was the fact that Golovkin was aiming to go from “interim” WBA middleweight champion to fully elevated titlist. Naturally, Golovkin stopped Tapia in three rounds, and he has ruthlessly held his WBA strap ever since.

Prior to that bout, Golovkin had travelled to Panama City where he iced Milton Nunez in a single round to claim the “interim” title. Up to that point, Golovkin had fought almost exclusively in Germany (with one contest coming in Denmark) and was somewhat languishing in then-promoter Universum’s stable. The Tapia fight, while hardly Golovkin’s most noteworthy victory, is certainly imbued with symbolic significance.

Since his American debut, Gennady Golovkin has sold out Madison Square Garden and become a major attraction at The Forum in Inglewood, California. He’s also brought big time boxing to Monte Carlo on three occasions. At one point, Golovkin was in talks to face WBO titlist Billy Joe Saunders during EXPO 2017 in Kazakhstan back in June, but negotiations fizzled. However, if Golovkin defeats Canelo Alvarez, a triumphant homecoming bout is definitely possible — and would be both overdue and deserved.