WBA middleweight champion Ryota Murata believes his upcoming opponent, IBF/IBO champion Gennadiy Golovkin, is past his best.
The two champions will collide in a unification showdown on Saturday night in Japan.
Golovkin, who nears 40, has only lost a single time in a close fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Their first bout ended in a controversial split draw.
There are numerous observers who believe Golovkin had done enough to win both fights with Canelo – with even Murata admitting the outcomes were questionable.
Golovkin last fought in December 2020, when he defeated overmatched mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta.
“Yes, the decision on both fights with Canelo were questionable to me. But whether GGG is unbeaten or not does not matter. I think he is past his prime. How I perform my strong points in the ring will be important,” Murata told The Sun.
Golovkin recently rejected the idea of retiring from the sport in the near future.
A win over Murata will lead to a trilogy fight with Canelo, for the undisputed super middleweight crown, in the month of September.
“I’m always excited to get back in the ring and it’s great that boxing is coming back. The entire approach, the entire tradition of boxing is still alive. I’m also excited that I have enough strength to continue to demonstrate quality boxing to my fans. So you’ll continue to see me in the ring,” Golovkin said.
“Of course, there are certain emotions, due to age for example, but I’m not frustrated personally, because it’s not my fault I did not have a chance to get in the ring for quite a while. But you will not see any emotions in the ring. In the ring, it will be a completely professional approach.”