Gennady Golovkin vs. Martin Murray: Winner, Recap and Reaction

On Saturday evening in the gilded coastal city of Monte Carlo, Monaco, Gennady Golovkin proved once again he's worthy of being called boxing royalty.

The 32-year-old Golovkin (32-0, 29 KO) handily defeated British boxer Martin Murray (29-2-1, 12 KO) via technical knockout in front of a ritzy crowd of 900 at the Salle des Etoiles. The pride of Kazakhstan retained his WBA World middleweight title in the process.

A bloodied and battered Murray succumbed to a vicious barrage of Golovkin's best punches in the 11th round, forcing the match referee to call the fight as the challenger went slack against the ropes. Golovkin notched three knockdowns in the match, two in the fourth round and another in the 10th.

The win serves as Golovkin's 19th straight knockout and cements his status as one of the best power punchers in the super middleweight ranks—and perhaps in all of boxing. Triple G laid out his goals after the bout, per HBO Boxing and ESPN.com's Brian Campbell:

Murray proved to be a brave opponent, and considering the punishment he took during the course of the evening, simply making it to the 11th was a stunning feat of toughness and endurance.

After a tentative, cagey first round, Golovkin and Murray both started to let their hands fly in the latter portion of the second. Golovkin did well to back Murray up into the ropes and break down his high guard, but Murray held tough and landed a few counterpunches to Golovkin's head. Ringside announcer Jim Lampley noted Murray's success early on, per HBO Boxing:

However, UCNLive.com's Steve Kim pointed out that Golovkin may have already done some significant damage:

Golovkin finally had a chance to show his vicious power and excellent accuracy in the third round. A big left hook-straight right combo to Murray's chin drew the biggest cheers of the night thus far late in the round. Murray was hardly out of the bout at that point, as his own body shots had taken a toll on the brilliant fighter from Kazakhstan.

HBO Boxing provided a look at Golovkin's punishing third-round combo:

The fourth round would prove to be a painful one for Murray. Golovkin notched two knockdowns in the round. The first came on a cratering right hook to Murray's stomach, which Murray briefly appeared to withstand before falling to the mat as the pain set in. Golovkin would capitalize moments later, walking Murray down into the ropes and causing him to crumple yet again with a straight shot to the chin.

Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix was in awe of Golovkin's technical prowess: 

Murray's situation worsened in the fifth, as Golovkin bloodied his nose early on in the frame. The undefeated boxer was showing off his complete arsenal, utilizing superior ring movement, counters, jabs and powerful combinations to the body.

It became readily apparent by the halfway point that Murray's tight defense was all that was separating him from devastation at the hands of Golovkin. The Merseyside challenger landed a smattering of strong shots with his right, but he simply lacked the power to stymie Golovkin's advances.

Ringside analyst and former boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. spoke admirably of Murray, per HBO Boxing:

Murray had a few brief flurries of activity in the seventh and eighth, but it was Golovkin's bout through and through at this point. He did well to change things up on Murray and keep him on his toes, mixing in uppercuts in quick succession with looping overhand rights and left hooks to the skull.

Golovkin slowed the pace a bit in the ninth, and Murray was able to stand his ground and even trade combinations with his masterful opponent, but the difference in power was obvious. HBO Boxing noted he was brushing off combos late in the bout:

The 10th round saw Golovkin notch his third knockdown of the fight. He backed Murray into the corner, staggering him with a right hook and then sending him flat on his back with an overhand right to the top of the head.

Murray was able to hold on to the 11th, a stunning achievement in its own right, per HBO Boxing:

Murray's heart, as big as it was on Saturday, still wasn't enough to carry him to a decision against Golovkin. A devastating barrage of punches early in the 11th round turned Murray's legs to jelly and dropped his gloves, causing the match official to call the fight and deliver Golovkin his 19th straight knockout.

CompuBox provided the final punch stats:

Murray proved to be a valiant competitor, but the merciless Golovkin was simply too powerful, too precise and too quick. Simply put, Golovkin deserves a fight against the the premier names in his class at this point, whether it be Miguel Cotto, Andre Ward, Peter Quillin or anyone else who considers themselves an upper-tier middleweight or super middleweight.

Golovkin knew he had to bring his A-game to the bout. "He is the biggest test of my career," said Golovkin at the final press conference before the contest, via Bleacher Report's Jonathan Snowden. If that's how Golovkin handles his toughest tests, then it's quite obvious he's at the head of his class.