It wasn't a question if Gennadiy Golovkin would beat Kamil Szeremeta to break the middleweight record for most title defenses. It was what round would Golovkin get Szeremeta out of there.
After sending Szeremeta down to the canvas four times, the referee stopped the fight before the eighth round began to give Golovkin the win by seventh-round TKO to remain the IBF middleweight champion at the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The victory is the 21st title defense of a 160-pound title for Golovkin, breaking the tie with Bernard Hopkins.
Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs) set the tone from the opening bell and let Szeremeta know there's no way he's going to win. He reverted back to pumping the jab and not letting Szeremeta get within distance of trying to counter with anything significant. With the clock ticking down, Golovkin flung a left hook to drop Szeremeta for the first time.
Golovkin changed things up a bit in the second as he started throwing power shots off the jab. Those punches began taking their toll on Szeremeta, and Golovkin took advantage and connected on an overhand right to send the native of Poland to the mat for the second time.
Szeremeta (21-1, 5 KOs) had no answer for what Golovkin brought on this night. He didn't have enough power on his fastball to put any doubt in his mind. After knocking Szeremeta back on his butt in the fourth round, Golovkin began throwing multiple punch combinations that battered Szeremeta. The punishment took its toll on Szeremeta as he got sent packing for the fourth and final time with a double jab. Seeing that there was no way Szeremeta would win, the referee put him out of his misery, and Golovkin made history.
Now that Golovkin returned with a "Big Drama Show", the question is now what's next? Fans want to see GGG-Canelo Alvarez 3. Golovkin refused to bring it up at all during fight week. He says he will have a keen eye on Alvarez's fight against WBA (super) super middleweight title clash with Callum Smith on Saturday from the Alamodome on DAZN (except for Mexico).
"I'm open for anybody," Golovkin told Todd Grisham in his post-fight interview. "Best opponent for me.
"We will wait for tomorrow. I hope tomorrow is a great event. The best will win. I'm open."
Here is what happened at Golovkin vs. Szeremeta.
GGG vs. Szeremeta live results
- Gennadiy Golovkin def. Kamil Szeremeta via TKO at 3:00 of the seventh round
- Hyun Mi Choi def. Calista Silgado by unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 97-93)
- John Ryder def. Michael Guy via unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 96-94)
- Carlos Gongora def. Ali Akmedov by knockout at 1:57 of the 12th round
- Rashad Mati def. Dennis Okoth via knockout at 1:18 of the sixth round
- Jalan Walker def. Diuhl Olguin by unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)
GGG vs. Szeremeta fight card
- Gennadiy Golovkin vs. Kamil Szeremeta for Golovkin's IBF Middleweight title
- Hyun Mi Choi vs. Calista Silgado; Junior Lightweight
- John Ryder vs Michael Guy; Super Middleweight
- Ali Akhmedov vs. Carlos Gongora; Super Middleweight
- Reshat Mati vs. Dennis Okoth; Welterweight
- Jalan Walker vs. Diuhl Olguin; Featherweight