Welcome back, Gennady Golovkin.
While Vanes Martirosyan wasn't the Gennady Golovkin opponent we all wanted to see on May 5, the middleweight champ returned to form with a vicious KO of Martirosyan in the second round.
A thunderous combination from @GGGBoxing ends @VanesBoxing's night in Round 2. #GGGVanes #AndStill pic.twitter.com/99bXQ7CZgb
— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) May 6, 2018
This was pretty much the only way the fight was going to end: Martirosyan ate a few overhand rights and some jobs in the second round before referee Jack Reiss counted to 10 for the GGG victory.
MORE: Boxing schedule — Plan for the biggest fights in 2018
It was a statement win for GGG, who could be staring down a rematch with Canelo Alvarez — Golovkin's original May 5 opponent — who earned his first KO in three fights.
Golovkin reaffirmed that it doesn't matter to him who's next: he's intent on cleaning out the division.
Even at 36 years old, it's tough to see who can stop him.
(All times Eastern.)
GGG vs. Martirosyan fight results
12:13 a.m. END OF FIGHT: Golovkin puts a flurry on Martirosyan to end the fight. An overhand right started it, followed by some jabs and then another overhand right. You could tell Golovkin was pissed coming out, and he ended it thusly.
12:11 a.m. Round 1 to Golovkin (10-9, 1-0 Golovkin): Martirosyan came out punching, but Golovkin landed some good jabs. Martirosyan is keeping Golovkin off balance and probably landed the best punch in the round. Still, GGG is brushing off some good punches. Credit to Martirosyan for a tough round.
12:06 a.m.: And we're off. Round-by-round scoring from here on out.
11:58 p.m.: Vanes Martirosyan takes the ring. His first fight in almost two years and his first fight at middleweight. Versus Gennady Golovkin. Yikes.
11:55 p.m.: Just minutes away from seeing a GGG clinic.
11:47 p.m.: Braekhus wins and the crowd doesn't like it. She won the fight, not sure what they're booing. Strong finish by Reis, but it was too little too late.
Cecilia Braekhus defeats Kali Reis via unanimous decisiom
11:43 p.m.: Braekhus won the fight, though Reis came on late. Braekhus either played down to her competition or she's gona a long way to go. She looked good in spurts. We go to the scorecards.
11:37 p.m.: End of Round 8, Reis hits Braekhus with another straight right hand. Things getting interesting late.
11:33 p.m.: Kali Reis sends Braekhus to the mat in Round 7. Braekhus immediately jumped back up, but a knockdown is a knockdown. First time she's been sent to the canvas in her career.
11:31 p.m.: Reis landed a really good right hand on Braekhus right before the bell, but didn't seem to bother Braekhus. She's showing good fight heading into the last four rounds.
11:28 p.m.: Reis is putting together some good answers to Braekhus' combinations, but Braekhus has settled into her own rhythm here. She's letting her hands go and it's working out for her.
11:24 p.m.: Through four rounds, Braekhus is starting to control the fight. Reis is holding her own still, but she's just being outclassed.
11:20 p.m.: We got a pretty even fight through two rounds here. Could go either way right now.
11:16 p.m.: Not a bad round from both fighters. Lots of action, we have 10, two-minute rounds, by the way.
11:12 p.m.: T-Rex weighs in (no pun intended).
I’m all teary eyed 😂😂😂 let’s go @1LadyCecilia and @KO_MoC86 ! Live on @HBOboxing ! #WomensHistory!!!
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) May 6, 2018
11:09 p.m.: Braekhus vs. Reis up first. Braekhus making her way to the ring now.
11:00 p.m.: And away we go. Welcome, fight fans. Two-fight bill tonight, so we'll be off and running, and hopefully in bed at a reasonable hour.
10:35 p.m.: Almost there. 25 minutes until game time.
10:05 p.m.: the StubHub Center is a bit of a drive from Vegas, but it'll have to do tonight.
We’re an hour away from #GGGVanes and #BraekhusReis fight night at @StubHubCenter in L.A.
— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) May 6, 2018
Tune in to the #cincodemayo doubleheader at 11 pm ET/PT on HBO World Championship Boxing. pic.twitter.com/QvfZJvEign
10:00 p.m.: One hour until opening bell, fight fans. Should be a short night, should all go according to plan.
9:37 p.m.: Just over an hour and a half until opening bell. Will GGG land this sweet hook tonight?
Golovkin's left hook is even scarier in slow motion 🤜💥 #GGGVanes pic.twitter.com/jWT1cn7E2C
— BoxNation (@boxnationtv) May 5, 2018
Golovkin vs. Martirosyan card
- Gennady Golovkin vs. Vanes Martirosyan; WBA/WBC Middleweight title
- Cecilia Braekhus vs. Kali Reis; WBA/WBC/WBO/IBF Women's Welterweight title