Golovkin on the verge of boxing glory

20 February 2015 - 02:21 By Clinton van der Berg in Monte Carlo
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Undefeated Gennady Golovkin, left, lands a heavy punch on Gabriel Rosado in their fight last year. Golovkin takes on Daniel Geale this weekend. File photo
Undefeated Gennady Golovkin, left, lands a heavy punch on Gabriel Rosado in their fight last year. Golovkin takes on Daniel Geale this weekend. File photo
Image: SUPPLIED

The first time Hekkie Budler met Gennady Golovkin he did so with his WBA and IBO championship belts draped over his shoulders.

"See," the South African told the Kazakh, pointing to the rewards of his trade, "I have the same belts as you."

That was in October when Golovkin was ringside for Budler's last title defence in Monte Carlo. Tomorrow the pair share top billing in this remarkable city, where ringside seats will set you back R33000.

Golovkin is on the verge of superstardom, his 18-fight knockout streak having drawn comparisons with Mike Tyson in his prime. Like Budler, his renown has taken time to develop because he is an outsider in international boxing. The major US market has taken a while to warm to the middleweight champion despite a solid claim as the most exciting fighter in the sport.

He's a joy to watch, blending savagery with science as he makes his way to the top of the pound-for-pound ranking. Some think this weekend's opponent, Martin Murray, may extend him more than usual.

The Briton spent five weeks preparing in South Africa and long ago cast off his criminal past. He's a model professional and enjoys a strong relationship with Rodney Berman, the South African promoter who has forged an unlikely alliance with the scions of Monte Carlo. It's why he keeps returning.

For Budler it has been even more difficult to break through. Like Baby Jake Matlala before him, he's struggled to be taken seriously as a boxer from the sport's smallest division. US TV giants HBO won't touch him, not because he isn't an outstanding fighter, but because their market doesn't appreciate 48kg fighters.

It's too bad because Budler - who defends his WBA and IBO minimum-weight titles against Jesus Silvestre - has matured into an all-action boxer whose package includes Technicolor hair, a bunch of tattoos and the sweetest personality in the sport.

"He never questions me, that's why he is so successful," says trainer Colin Nathan, whose regimen this week has included 3am wake-up calls for roadwork.

"If I told him to jump in the fire, he would do it."

Budler possesses a toughness born of a youth spent on the rough side of Johannesburg.

He's also proud and understands perfectly what he represents as a South African.

In that way, he is similar to Golovkin: two heroic, under-appreciated fighters making their way in the world.

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