Gennady Golovkin returned the WBA middleweight title to defeated Ryota Murata after securing victory in a unification clash.
The Kazakh star made his ring return for the first time in over a year after defeating Kamil Szeremeta back in December 2020. Despite not having proceedings all his own way, Golovkin managed to rally to a ninth round stoppage with a neat right hand to close the show.
After securing the victory, Golovkin opted to make an emotional gesture to his opponent and footage showed him entering the changing room of his ring rival. He entered the room and handed the belt to Murata, and said: "This is your belt for your whole life now." The pair then shook hands and embraced showing a clear level of respect for one-another after Golovkin walked away with the unified titles.
Golovkin also handed his fight robe to Murata after the final bell had sounded, with the Japanese star opting to wear the garmant upon his exit from the ring and in further images with his rival. Golovkin posed for a photo with Murata after having spent time in his opponent's changing room, with the Japanese star visibly emotional after the defeat.
Murata started the contest the brighter of the two with a particularly strong second round when he landed several crisp shots with Golovkin failing to settle into any early rhythm. The Japanese star continued to make several openings in the first four rounds with the contest looking even at the start.
However the 40-year-old star stepped up the tempo and stiffened the legs of his rival with a powerful left hook which appeared to turn the tide of the early momentum. Golovkin sent his opponent off-balance with another explosive shot in the sixth round as he started to take complete control of proceedings.
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After tussling for his breakthrough, Golovkin began his assault in the ninth round just five seconds in tagging his opponent with a right hand. He pounced on his opening landing vicious body shots with his opponent desperately covering up on the ropes. Golovkin landed another right hand on Murata which sent him sprawling to the canvas.
Referee Luis Pabon began his count for the knockdown but the towel came in from the defeated Japanese's corner, with the fight stopped by the official to hand Golovkin his 41st professional victory. The Kazakh star has now played his part in securing an illustrious trilogy with Canelo Alvarez, which is expected to be staged in September.
Alvarez will now have to defeat Dmitry Bivol in Las Vegas on May 7 to set up the third meeting between the pair, with the Mexican being the only one to have defeated Golovkin albeit in controversial fashion. The ageing star has emphasised his desire to settle the scores with the pound-for-pound king with all the marbles on offer at 168lbs.
