Former unified world middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1) returned to his winning days after the Kazakh managed to get a 4th round KO over Canada’s Steve Rolls (19-1).
The fight that took place in New York was first for the 37-years-old ex-champ since his controversial defeat to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez last September. It was also his first fight under the DAZN banner, the same company that has Canelo.
Although GGG finished his job early, the bout wasn’t easy at all. Rolls was doing work with his jab and managed to land some nasty blows to Golovkin’s head. The exchanges in the early rounds were a good sport and the phone booth style that both fighters showcased was leading to some hard shots in both directions.
If there was some rust in Golovkin’s feet and hands, it was all gone in the 4th when the Kazakh finally found the chink in Roll’s armor and started landing heavy body and headshots. Rolls was defending and looking to avoid the big hit, but Golovkin managed to land a left overhook right to his opponent’s head and that was all he needed. Rolls’ knees started to shake and seconds after that GGG threw a mean left hook right in the chin of his adversary who dropped on the canvas face down.
GGG delivers a devastating lights-out knockout of Steve Rolls in Round 4. Rolls hit the canvas like a ton of bricks. #GGGRolls
Post-fight analysis coming here: https://t.co/WtcjrcU9uLpic.twitter.com/Iebj1HWIKA
— State of Combat Podcast (@StateofCombat) June 9, 2019
After the fight, Gennady told everybody that one thing we all know.
“I feel great, I feel like a new baby,” he said.
“I love knockouts and I love New York. It was a great night all around. I’m ready to come back in September. We know who the fans want me to fight next.
“Everybody knows. I’m ready for Canelo. Bring him. If you want ‘Big Drama Show,’ just tell him.
“A third fight is more interesting, the next fight is amazing for us.”