Kazakhstan's Golovkin beats Wade, retains title

Kazakh middleweight boxing champion Gennady Golovkin successfully defended his world titles by knocking out American Dominic Wade at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

The 34-year-old Golovkin, holder of the WBA (Super), IBF and IBO titles, knocked out Wade in the second round on Saturday night, reports Efe.

"It's not special, I feel after first round it's very close fight. It's my play, it's my game," Golovkin said. "Of course, everybody come to just watch my fight."

Golovkin punished Wade with a left hook in the first round, then knocked the American challenger down three times in the second round.

The 25-year-old Wade tried to get up, but the referee stopped the fight.

"His power is real," Wade said. "It was more than I even expected. I was trying to get comfortable in there. Once he hits you, it makes it very difficult to get comfortable."

Wade, who had a record of 18-0, with 12 knockouts, heading into the bout, was paid $500,000 for the fight.

Golovkin, who has made 16 consecutive title defenses and scored 22 straight knockouts, was a 50-1 favourite among oddsmakers going into the fight.

The Kazakh boxer, who now lives in Los Angeles, called on Mexican champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez to fight him for the World Boxing Council (WBC) title so he can unify all the titles.

"I feel great. I'm here now, and I'm here to stay. I'm not going anywhere. Give me my belt, give me my belt! Let's fight," Golovkin, who earned $2 million for the bout, said.

Golovkin defeated Canada's David Lemieux last October in Madison Square Garden in a fight that added the IBF title to his collection.

The Kazakh now has a record of 35-0, with 32 knockouts.

--IANS

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