WBA/IBO middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (30-0, 27 KO’s) and WBC interim middleweight champion Marco Antonio “Veneno” Rubio (59-6-1, 51 KOs) met Wednesday afternoon at the El Paseo Inn at the historic Olvera Street Plaza in downtown Los Angeles, officially announcing their October 18 showdown. The two will square off at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California headlining the HBO World Championship Boxing telecast.
K2 Promotions Tom Loeffler welcomed everyone at the press conference and talked about the matchup. “We have had a great response for bringing Golovkin here to the Los AngeIes area. I want to give credit to Marco Antonio Rubio and his entire team for taking the challenge we are really excited about that,” Tom Loeffler said. “It’s a perfect setting October 18, southern California, outdoor venue, the Stub Hub Center is known for fantastic fights and all action that is what this fight promises to deliver.”
Rubio’s adivisor Sampson Lewkowicz also spoke at Wednesday’s press conference before introducing Team Rubio. Lewkowicz had some interesting words as he stood at the dais looking right at the smiling Golovkin.
“People say how come you take this fight? I want to see how you dance the tango with Rubio. This is the biggest fight you have had because you are coming to fight Mexican style,” Lewkowicz said. “Good Luck to you!”
Rubio’s trainer, former champion and two-time Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia, then stepped up to the mic.
“We respect GGG and his team. Here we are, now we are getting ready to fight the best middleweight in the world so the challenge is great. Abel Sanchez I have known for many, many years. I was probably five or six years old. Rubio could have said no and went on defending his title a couple of times in Mexico, but we love challenges. Mexican Style, that’s what people are going to see and enjoy a great fight.”
Abel Sanchez, Golovkin’s trainer also acknowledged Rubio’s team and gave us his insights on the matchup and what he will prepare his fighter for in the tough Rubio.
“I believe this time we have a challenge. Marco has more knockouts on his record than we have fights so we know that he can hit. Robert I have known since I had the pleasure of meeting him and his family in 1980,” Sanchez said. “With Robert in his corner and Marco’s experience, Robert’s knowledge of the boxing game, I believe he will have a great fighter that night. If Marco comes out and does what he says, we will be treated to a hell of a fight.”
It was then Rubio’s turn to speak.
“The moment they offered the challenge I accepted,” said Rubio. “That’s the purpose to be a champion. If you’re not going to fight the best, I could be fighting in Mexico defending my title 10-15 times. I am willing to take the challenge and risk. GGG is the best that’s why we’re here. If I beat him that will make me the best middleweight!”
Golovkin followed as he was brief and all smiles displaying respect to his opponent and team.
“I want to thank Marco Antonio Rubio and Robert Garcia. I know they are a very strong team. I know my coach Abel Sanchez and Ben Lira are also strong,” Golovkin said. “I promise we will have a good fight. This will be a big present for southern California boxing fans.”
The rising superstar “GGG” made it look easy in stopping former champion Daniel Geale in the third round as he was the first fighter to stop the battle tested and tough Geale. Golovkin will now take on another tough fighter in the tested veteran Rubio.
“It’s my first fight in LA, it’s very important for me. Rubio is the best name in the middleweight division. He is the interim champion and he is the biggest test for me,” Golovkin told Fightnews.com
Coming off a tenth round knockout of Domenico Spada in winning the WBC interim title, Rubio will look to be the first man to defeat Golovkin as he has been in with and handled his own with former middleweight world champions Kelly Pavlik and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
“I am fighting the best middleweight. We want the best fights and I feel that my experience will be an advantage the night of the fight,” Rubio told us.
Golovkin and Rubio’s style will definitely be a fan friendly matchup as the two fighters like to come forward and trade and the card has already been billed “Mexican Style”. Golovkin who has 27 knockouts in his 30 fights has rolled over his opposition with a knockout percentage of 90%. On the other hand Rubio also loves the knockout as he has 51 knockouts in his 59 victories. “Mexican Style” Golovkin vs. Rubio will be a scheduled 12 round championship fight for Golovkin’s WBA/IBO middleweight titles in what could be another memorable fight and night of boxing from the StubHub Center.
“You know my style. I like big drums but this fight will be a big present for fans and for everybody,” Golovkin said.
“The title of the fight says it all. He likes to come forward and October 18 I will leave it all in the ring,” Rubio concluded.
Following Wednesday’s press conference it was also announced that the WBA super world featherweight title will be on the line as Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire (33-2, 21 KOs) takes on Jamaican Nicholas Walters (24-0, 20 KOs) in the Golovkin-Rubio co-feature. That bout will open up the HBO World Championship Boxing telecast.
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