For the past decade, Floyd Mayweather Jr has held on to the status of pound-for-pound king as well as becoming a money-making juggernaut never seen before in the sport. Unified champion Wladimir Klitschko also generates huge income whether he is competing in Germany or making an appearance in the United States. Andre Ward, the inactive super-middleweight from America, deserves to be ranked alongside both men, but whether it's Mayweather, Klitschko, or Ward, none of the trio are feared in their respective divisions.
Fighters push to fight Mayweather mainly because it's the most lucrative fight in boxing, but also because he possesses limited knockout power. Heavyweights rarely fear Klitschko because despite his incredible number of successful title defences, he has shown vulnerability in the past, while Ward has shown that he is almost too talented for the 168lbs division that a showdown with the American doesn't make any money. However, over the past two years, a man has emerged who possesses the pound-for-pound attributes of Mayweather, Klitschko and Ward, but who also possesses the firepower that makes him the most avoided fighter on the planet.
After amassing 18 successive knockouts, a fight with Gennady Golovkin is something that barely anyone wants unless it makes financial sense. It's widely understood that boxing is a business, but Golovkin is a world champion who represents a massive name on anyone's record and who offers fellow world champions the chance to unify the decision. But for one reason or another, the mega fights don't come. Promoters will claim that he doesn't generate enough revenue, but the fact is that he hasn't been given the platform to make the money his talent attracts because none of the proven best at 160lbs want to fight him.
However, Martin Murray has shown in the past that he isn't one to duck the toughest occasions in boxing. The St Helens fighter travelled to Germany to face Felix Sturm and came away unlucky only to claim a draw, and he showed no fear in entering what was effectively a lion's den in Buenos Aries to take on Sergio Martinez in front of a passionate Argentine crowd. People will question whether Murray would have taken these fights if he didn't have continuous visa issues, but the fact remains that he did take the risks and he's a better, more respected fighter because of it.
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Inside and out of the boxing fraternity, Murray has earned widespread respect for signalling his intention to face Golovkin since the moment that he signed with new promoter Golden Gloves. There were moments when he talked up a potential bout with Miguel Cotto, another stellar name in the middle divisions, but it was reported that Murray was regarded as physically too big to take on one of the legends of the sport. That's the level of Murray's current standing in the division, despite never winning a world title.
Win or lose, Murray will take credit for taking the fight with Golovkin, but to Murray, he's often indicated a feeling of surprise and bemusement that he is being praised for taking a fight. Isn't that what boxers are supposed to do? It would be naive to think that it made sense for any fighter to accept any match put in front of them, but there is a world title at stake in Monte Carlo, Europe's own version of Las Vegas. It was a no-brainer to accept the fight.
Nevertheless, Murray will be aware that it will be an achievement in itself to go 12 rounds with Golovkin. He's witnessed the likes of Matthew Macklin and Daniel Geale blown away inside three rounds as well as watching Marco Antonio Rubio last less than five minutes in October. Murray has Golovkin's respect outside of the ring, but his gameplan will likely be centred around earning the respect of the former leading amateur inside the ring because if Golovkin is allowed to dictate the pace and cut off the ring, the pressure will be heaped on Murray.
The 32-year-old will expect that, but combating Golovkin's variation and ability to throw a vast array of punches with equal power will be the biggest task of all. Murray undoubtedly needs a sharp, measured start and to try to be competitive in the fight after three rounds, and then he can think about establishing himself further. If there is no control in his display, Golovkin will pick his moment to end the fight and move onto a high-profile contest early in the summer.
Undercard
The undercard in Monte Carlo will see British heavyweight Hughie Fury face the biggest test of his young career against Ukrainian Andriy Rudenko. The 20-year-old has done well to put together an undefeated record of 14 victories while dealing with health and diet issues, but with trainer Peter Fury revealing that he is almost back to full fitness, he has been placed into a demanding fight with hard-punching Rudenko, whose only defeat of a 25-fight career came to highly-ranked Australian Lucas Browne last year.
British bantamweight Lee Haskins will also attempt to become a two-time European champion against Frenchman Omar Lamiri. Victory for the 31-year-old could potentially put him a couple of wins away from challenging for a world title by the start of 2016.
Darren Plant
