Jonathon Banks, coach Gennady Golovkin, does not consider the transition of his fighter to super middleweight as a disadvantage, even against the background of an elite-level opponent who became the absolute champion in this weight category.
The 40-year-old Golovkin can still comfortably drop into the middleweight limit. However, the IBF and WBA champion had to settle for a 76 kg fight to get his long-awaited third fight with Saul Alvarez, which is scheduled for Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“I think this fight will be just like any other for him,” Jonathon Banks told BoxingScene.com. - This is how he looks at it. He was not going to compete in the first heavy weight. He doesn't fight at 90 kg. He fights only eight pounds taller than usual. So it won't make much of a difference. This is neither bad nor good. It's just a different weight class. He agreed to it, so he's always like, "Let's go!"
Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) has fought at middleweight since his pro debut in May 2006. Most boxers gain weight out of necessity as they get older, but Golovkin's athletic discipline allowed him to stay in the same weight class for 16 years.
"He's a true middleweight and dedicated to the boxing lifestyle," Banks said. - It's not so difficult to do if you are dedicated to your work and are a real middleweight. And he is a true middleweight. He's not a big guy pushing himself into that category. He's a real middleweight, so that's his most comfortable weight."
Alvarez, 32, has competed in the super lightweight, welterweight, junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions throughout his career.
Golovkin got a chance to become the undisputed super middleweight champion in his debut at this weight by defeating Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs), who holds the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO crowns at 76 kg. If he wins, Golovkin could still return to middleweight.
"He can definitely come back to middleweight, but he agreed that this fight would be at super middleweight," Banks added. — I mean, it's not a problem for him. He won't be stronger at 168 than he is at 160. His strength is his strength, no matter what weight class he competes in."
