December 03, (THEWILL) – Due to the Japan’s new restrictions on foreign visitors because of the Omicron coronavirus, the December 29 unification contest between International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin and World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight champion Ryota Murata in the country has been cancelled.
The Saitama Super Arena was supposed to host the event. It was also valued at $132.75 million, making it one of the most expensive boxing bouts in Japanese history.
Golovkin was particularly enthusiastic about the fight, posting countdowns on social media on a regular basis.
Golovkin, with a record 36 knockouts in 41 wins, one loss and one draw, was slated to return to the ring after reclaiming the IBF middleweight title against Sergiy Derevyanchenko by majority decision in 2019. He had not fought since December 2020, when he defeated undefeated Kamil Szeremeta with four knockdowns en route to a record 21st successful middleweight title defence.
His opponent, Murata with a win-loss record of 16-2, and 13 KOs, successfully defended his WBA middleweight championship in April 2018 against Emanuele Blandamura through eighth-round TKO. He lost the title to Rob Brant by unanimous decision in October 2018, but reclaimed it in July 2019 after stopping Brant in the second round of a rematch.
Unlike Golovkin, Murata had not fought since December 2019, when he retained his WBA title by defeating Steven Butler via fifth-round TKO.
But, Murata rose to prominence in Japan with his gold medal performance in the 2012 London Olympics. Since Takao Sakurai’s victory in 1964, this was Japan’s first gold medal in boxing.
Golovkin has also achieved Olympic glory, winning silver in the 2004 Athens Games.
There was no definitive indication about a date for the rescheduled bout next year.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
