WBA, IBO, WBC Interim middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (32-0, 29 KOs) of Kazakhstan and middleweight contender Willie Monroe Jr. (19-1, 6 KOs) of Ithaca, New York held their final press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Westin Hotel LAX. Golovkin and Monroe will square off this Saturday at the Forum of Los Angeles live on HBO World Championship Boxing.
“You have two of the best pound for pound fighters in the world it’s really a throwback show in honor of all the great fights they have held at the Forum,” K2 Promotions Tom Loeffler said in opening up the press conference. “We are proud to present “GGG” Golovkin vs. Willie Monroe Jr. for the middleweight championship. We are really excited about this show.”
Representing Willie Monroe, Banner Promotions Artie Pellulo followed as he introduced Monroe and his team. “First I want to say thanks to Gennady Golovkin, Abel and team, most importantly Tom for giving Willie the opportunity to fight for the middleweight championship” Pellulo said. “It’s going to be one great fight on Saturday night as what your about to see. Most of the people in the room believe it’s a one sided fight, that is incorrect. He is here because he is a real fighter.”
The respective trainers also spoke at the press conference as they have done their task in preparing their fighters.
“I am sure Tony is going to have Willie in good shape. We are looking for a tough, tough fight. Willie is going to do his best and Gennady will do his best to put on a great show,” Golovkin’s trainer Abel Sanchez said.
“I know Abel will have his guy ready, we are ready. We are going to put on a great show, there is going to be a changing of the guard,” Monroe’s trainer Tony Morgan said. “We are going to do, what we do, we have been winning and we will keep winning.”
Monroe who earned this shot by winning the 2014 ESPN Boxcino Middleweight Tournament spoke about the opportunity and showdown with Golovkin.
“I want to thank God for blessing me with this opportunity. A special thanks to my team, it’s been a long up and down road for me as a fighter. I am the underdog and I have always been an underdog. These are the opportunities I relish.” Monroe said. “I am a stylistic enigma to the style of Gennady’s. He feels he can beat anyone and on May 16th one will come out on top.”
“GGG” followed and as usual he promised a great show.
“Saturday night there is a big present for everyone,” Golovkin said. “For boxing fans. This is a big deal. A big present. I promise a great event at the Forum in California.”
Golovkin vs. Monroe will be a scheduled twelve round championship fight for Golovkin’s WBA, IBO and WBC interim titles as “GGG” will be making his fourteenth title defense against the upset-minded and skilled southpaw Monroe.
