The middleweight division of pro boxing was supposed to be treated with a clash between IBF nd IBO champion Gennadiy Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs) vs WBA titlist Ryota Murata on 29th December at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, but due to the emergence of the Omicron strain of COVID-19 virus the fight was postp to be pushed back next year. And now, Matchroom MD Eddie Hearn stated that the fight is set for a rescheduling in either March or April.
Travel restrictions in Japan caused the postponement of Gennadiy Golovkin vs Ryota Murata
The news of the postponement, which was caused by the reimposement of strict travel bans in Japan, was revealed by none other than Golovkin himself on Twitter on 3rd of December.
“I am deeply disappointed that fight in Japan has been postponed but the health and safety of the public must always be the priority. I look forward to returning to the ring against Ryota as soon as possible,” tweeted Golovkin.
I am deeply disappointed that fight in Japan has been postponed but the health and safety of the public must always be the priority. I look forward to returning to the ring against Ryōta as soon as possible.
— Gennadiy Golovkin (@GGGBoxing) December 3, 2021
However, there was no word as when the bout was being targeted for 2022, but Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the bout will happen in either March or April.
“Gennadiy Golovkin was to fight Murata in December. It looks like it’s going to be rescheduled for March or April,” Hearn spoke to IFL TV [H/T Boxingscene.com], but did not comment on whether Saitama will still remain as the venue for the bout. The fight, co-promoted by GGG Promotions and Teiken Promotions Inc, will crown the new three belt unified middleweight champion.
Considered as one of the best boxers of this generation as well as one of the best middleweights of all time, Golovkin was last seen in action last December, defending his IBF and IBO belts against Kamil Szeremeta at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida.
With the advantage of the fight taking place on his home soil, Murata will be breaking his two year hiatus away from the ring, since defeating Steven Butler in December 2019. The 35-year-old, who has been WBA’s regular champion since 2017, was elevated to ‘Super’ status in January this year.
Highlights:
- Matchroom MD Eddie Hearn has hinted at March or April 2022 for possible rescheduling of Gennadiy Golovkin vs Ryota Murata
- The two middleweight champions were slated to square off on 29th Dec but the travel restrictions in Japan had postponed the fight
