Gennadiy Golovkin returns to the ring for the first time in under two years, as he travels to Japan to face WBA world middleweight champion Ryota Murata. The WBA, IBF, and IBO middleweight titles are on the line inside Saitama Super Arena.
Golovkin last fought in December 2020, defending his IBO and IBF world middleweight titles against Kamil Szeremeta. Golovkin won via corner retirement in another classic performance. In the opposing corner, Murata has also been inactive. His last fight was in December 2019, beating Canada's Steven Butler with a fifth round TKO in Japan.
Golovkin has agreed to face pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez in September, if he comes through with a win here. He is looking to avenge his loss in the second of their two fights back in 2018. Murata will be hoping to spoil the party, but at 36 years old and with over two years out of the ring, what are his chances of winning the fight?
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The same goes for Golovkin, who at 39 is also going to be feeling the same effects. However, his aggression and relentless boxing style should be too much for Murata, who's never competed against a fighter of this caliber before.
Below is the full rundown of the schedule for Golovkin vs. Murata, with details on the fight matchups, start times, odds, and more.
When is GGG vs. Murata?
- Date: Saturday, April 9
- Main card: 7 pm AEST
- Main event: 10 pm AEST (approximately)
Gennadiy Golovkin vs. Ryota Murata takes place on April 9. The main card is scheduled to begin at 7 pm AEST with the main event ring walks scheduled for 10 pm AEST. This all depends on the length of the undercard bouts.
How to watch GGG vs. Murata
- TV channels/live stream: DAZN
The prelims and the main card for Gennadiy Golovkin vs. Ryota Murata will be available through the DAZN app.
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GGG vs. Murata price: How much does GGG vs. Murata cost in Australia?
- $2.99 per month in Australia
MORE: Join DAZN to watch Gennadiy Golovkin vs. Ryota Murata
Where is GGG vs. Murata?
Gennadiy Golovkin vs. Ryota Murata will take place inside Saitama Super Arena in Japan. Both fighters have never fought in the arena before, which can hold up to 36,000 people.
GGG vs. Murata odds
According to the Palmerbet, Murata is the $5.50 underdog. Golovkin is the $1.18 favorite.
Fancy the draw? It's paying $21 as of April 7.
Gennadiy "GGG" Golovkin record, bio
- Nationality: Kazakhstani
- Born: April 8, 1982
- Height: 5-10
- Reach: 70 inches
- Total fights: 43
- Record: 41-1-1 with 36 wins via knockout
Ryota Murata record, bio
- Nationality: Japanese
- Born: January 12th, 1986
- Height: 6-0
- Reach: 75 inches
- Total fights: 18
- Record: 16-2 with 13 wins via knockout
GGG vs. Murata fight card
- Gennadiy Golovkin (c) vs. Ryota Murata (c) for the WBA, IBO, and IBF middleweight titles
- Shuichiro Yoshino (14-0 vs. Masayuki Ito (27-3-1)
- Junto Nakatani (22-0) vs. Ryota Yamaguchi (8-1) for the WBO flyweight title
- Kazuki Anaguchi (1-0) vs. Ryuji Yamamoto (6-1)
- Hiroka Amaki (debut) vs. Taiga Kato (debut)