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Johnathon Banks holds the head coaching keys to Gennadiy Golovkin’s career.
The former cruiserweight and heavyweight contender turned trainer has helped Golovkin in the last four fights since June 2019.
Golovkin parted ways with veteran trainer Abel Sanchez shortly after losing a majority decision to Canelo Alvarez in September 2018. Both fighters also fought to a split draw in 2017.
Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) and Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs) will square off in a trilogy fight Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on DAZN pay-per-view.
Legacy will be on the line for both fighters, as will Alvarez’s undisputed super middleweight title.
Banks believes Golovkin, currently a unified middleweight champion, still has plenty of juice in his tank even though he turned 40 in April and got off to a slow start before stopping Ryoto Murata in his most recent fight this spring.
“His power is going to be 100% at 168 pounds,” Banks told BoxingScene.com and other reporters. “When you are a true puncher, your power accompanies you wherever you go. You don’t leave home without it, it’s there.
“He’s a guy who walks in and doesn’t leave until he’s done. It’s almost to the point where you have to pull it off. He has a high-level work rate… You have to evaluate each fighter as an individual. I don’t go out of what you consider the norm for the age. I assess what is in front of me and start from there. I don’t think about his age. It’s a matter of pulling it so it doesn’t overdo it. His work pace is that of a 20-year-old.”
In addition to Murata’s win, Banks, Wladimir Klitschko’s former head coach, also guided Golovkin to wins against Kamil Szeremeta, Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Steve Rolls.
Golovkin said he is on the same page as Banks, a disciple of Emanuel Steward.
“I feel extremely comfortable. I am satisfied with everything. I do not have doubts. If something goes wrong during my performance, I can only blame myself. But in terms of our training process, it’s perfect,” Golovkin said.
Banks was happy with Golovkin’s performance against Murata despite Triple G absorbing heavy leather in the early rounds before rallying and rallying for a one-sided finish.
“I thought he had a pretty good performance [against Murata]Banks said. “I don’t think it was the best thing I’ve ever done. But we are progressing with each fight to get better and better. I really think we have. We’re trying to be more efficient to do the things he does best.”
Banks will corner Golovkin for the first time against Álvarez. The boxers met and combined to land 823 punches against each other in 24 rounds.
There should be no scoring process necessary once round 25 begins.
“Canelo seems to me like he makes good adjustments in every move he has made. I think this fight will be a fight of adjustments: who will make the adjustments faster and on time, and who will better stay the course. They don’t have to get to know each other anymore,” Banks said.
“I judge who I’m coaching in the corner harder than any judge. I want to see the things we’re working on… The goal is to get him into a groove so he lets his hands go.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and television reporter. He is also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, by email at manouk[dot]collect[at]gmail.com or at www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
