Gennady Golovkin splits with longtime trainer, who calls him 'greedy' and 'ungrateful'

Russell Greaves

Gennady Golovkin splits with longtime trainer, who calls him 'greedy' and 'ungrateful' image

Gennady Golovkin has split with longtime trainer Abel Sanchez, the former unified middleweight world champion confirmed in a statement Wednesday on Instagram, describing it as a "major decision."

Golovkin, who recently signed a six-fight, nine-figure deal with DAZN, will return to the ring in June against Canadian Steve Rolls.

And Golovkin will have a new trainer in his corner for that bout at Madison Square Garden, which will mark Golovkin's first fight since losing his WBA and WBC titles in a rematch against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in September.

"I would like to announce that I have made a major decision for myself and for my career," said Golovkin, 37.  

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"I want to build on what I have already achieved and continue to better myself. Therefore, I will not be training with Abel Sanchez.

"This was not an easy decision for me and it is not a reflection on Abel's professional abilities.

"He is a great trainer, a loyal trainer, and a Hall of Fame trainer.

"I will be announcing my new trainer at a later date. But today, I want to thank Abel for the lessons he taught me in boxing."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Я хотел бы объявить о важном решении, которое принял для себя и своей карьеры. Мне необходимо продолжать совершенствоваться, опираясь на то, чего я уже достиг. Поэтому я решил не тренироваться с Абелем Санчесом. Это было нелёгкое решение, которое никак не связано с его профессиональными качествами. Он хороший тренер, преданный, тренер из Зала Славы. Я объявлю своего нового тренера в ближайшее время, но сегодня я хотел бы поблагодарить Абеля за то, что он дал мне в боксе. ⠀ I would like to announce that I have made a major decision for myself and for my career. I want to build on what I have already achieved and continue to better myself. Therefore, I will not be training with Abel Sanchez. This was not an easy decision for me and it is not a reflection on Abel's professional abilities. He is a great trainer, a loyal trainer, and a Hall of Fame trainer. I will be announcing my new trainer at a later date. But today, I want to thank Abel for the lessons he taught me in boxing.

A post shared by Gennady Golovkin | GGG (@gggboxing) on

Sanchez later Wednesday confirmed the split as well, releasing a statement (via Yahoo Sports) in which he not only said money was at the heart of the breakup but also that it wasn't exactly as amicable as Golovkin may have made it seem in his social media post.

“After a great 9 year run, records set, and equaled, developing a Hall of Fame career and making it possible to sign a 6 fight $100 million contract with DAZN, (Golovkin) proposed and instead on an insulting new trainer compensation schedule,” Sanchez said, in part.

He added: "My dignity and honor (do) not allow me to be screwed like that. It’s unfortunate being greedy, being ungrateful and no ethics, honor or integrity will end this relationship."

Russell Greaves