Boxing
Jean Pascal supports Gennady Golovkin in the Hall of Fame: “He deserved it”
Published
7 months agoon
Former world champion Jean Pascal spoke exclusively to World Boxing News about Gennady Golovkin’s long-awaited and inevitable first-round voting induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, praising the legacy of the Kazakh legend and wondering why their dream fight never came to fruition.
Golovkin’s name appears on the ballot alongside Vernon Forrest and Steve Collins, among many others, marking his first appearance since officially retiring in 2022. The nomination sparked a wave of debate across boxing, particularly after Ring magazine editor Dougie Fischer publicly reaffirmed his vote for “GGG.”
“Gennady Golovkin Is Confirmed by Yours Truly for His First Appearance on the IBHOF Ballot” Fischer said in X. “I get four more votes. Who do you think deserves this vote the most?”
But the conversation really ignited when former Floyd Mayweather adviser Leonard Ellerbe chimed in, bringing up an venerable notion about fighters supposedly avoiding Golovkin in their heyday.
“Now GGG in his prime is an example of fighters avoiding smoke,” Ellerbe said. “It would break your face.”
Pascal on the Golovkin fight that never happened
Speaking exclusively to WBN, Pascal reflected on what could have been one of the most explosive fights of 2010 – if the stars had aligned.
“Honestly, it’s one of those ‘what if’ fights that fans keep talking about,” Pascal told WBN. “GGG and I were champions, both threatening, both willing to trade. Stylistically, it would be a firework.
“I had no reason to avoid anyone. I fought legends throughout my career. Time and politics stopped it, not fear. That’s boxing.”
Pascal, who has shared the ring with names such as Bernard Hopkins, Sergey Kovalev and Dmitry Bivol, made it clear that fights like Golovkin vs. Pascal were often a victim of business and timing rather than courage.
On Ellerbe’s claim that the fighters avoided GGG
Pascal didn’t hesitate to address Ellerbe’s claim that many top fighters avoided Golovkin during his prime years.
“He’s right,” Pascal admitted. “GGG in his prime was a monster – pressure, power, precision. Many players made excuses. But real fighters step up to the next level. I’ve never been a guy who hides behind matchmaking.
“If it made sense from a business standpoint and for legacy reasons, I would sign.”
Pascal’s comments reflect the respect that many fighters still have for Golovkin’s career – a middleweight reign built on relentless pressure, tremendous resistance and a knockout efficiency that made him one of the most feared men of his era.
Golovkin’s Hall of Fame legacy
As the discussion intensifies before Hall of Fame announcements, Golovkin’s credentials speak for themselves:
Two-time unified middleweight world champion
Longest reigning champion of the newfangled era at 160 pounds
A record of 23 consecutive title defenses
A memorable rivalry with Canelo Alvarez
According to Pascal, induction is not only deserved – it is inevitable.
“He acted like a champion in and out of the ring,” Pascal added. “GGG is a pure class fighter – a fighter from the past. He deserves it.”
The common era of warriors
For Pascal, the Golovkin era represents a lost generation of true risk-takers – fighters who built a legacy on danger, not comfort.
“We come from an era where pride was essential. You wanted to go up against the best to prove you were the best,” Pascal said. “GGG was one of those guys – and that’s why fans will always respect him.”
As Golovkin awaits Canastota’s call, which now seems inevitable, Jean Pascal’s words highlight what made “Triple G” special – and what newfangled boxing sometimes misses:
Warriors willing to face danger, take up the challenge and define a legacy through risk.
Golovkin’s Hall of Fame moment may be near, but his legend, as Pascal put it, “was already written many years ago.”
About the author
Phil Jay is experienced boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global combat scene. How Since 2010, editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN).Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and the most essential boxing evenings in the ring were reported.
[View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
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Boxing
Erik Morales Gives Fair Verdict on Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: “Who Will Win”
Published
1 hour agoon
April 28, 2026
Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales, who is the same age as Floyd Mayweather, presented his version of the 49-year-old’s expected rematch with Manny Pacquiao.
The two pound-for-pound icons will face off in a professional competition on September 19, headlining the Netflix event at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, their second meeting seemed to be in jeopardy after Mayweather stated last month that it would be an exhibition match.
Pacquiao and his team have since stated that it will be a fully sanctioned fight, but we are still waiting for an official announcement.
Their first meeting took place in 2015 and earned Mayweather a unanimous decision victory in an event that quickly became known as the most lucrative boxing event of all time.
Shortly thereafter Pacquiao claimed he entered the welterweight fight with a shoulder injurybut he never had the opportunity to exact his revenge.
But now the 47-year-old hopes to break Mayweather’s 50-0 record after ending his nearly four-year hiatus from professional boxing last July.
But while the Filipino drew with Mario Barrios, the then-WBC welterweight champion, many suggested he and Mayweather shouldn’t be entering the ring at this stage of their lives.
One of them is Morales, who fought Pacquiao three times, winning the first meeting but losing the next two. He told Fight Hub TV that the rematch would be won by the Hall of Famer who turned down the fight the least.
“We’re not at the age to get into fights. But hey, it’ll be intriguing. Whoever arrives the least injured and a little faster, [will win]”
Erik Morales Predicts Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2‼️‼️
“We’re not at the age to get into fights… This will be intriguing. Whoever wins must come to fight less hurt and a little faster!” – Erik Morales
Watch Benavidez vs. Zurdo this Saturday on DAZN. Go to… pic.twitter.com/6fVLRqTza1
— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) April 27, 2026
Ahead of any rematch with Pacquiao, Mayweather confirmed he would fight Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis on June 27.
“You can’t be disappointed with something that never happened,” Finkel told Sky Sports. “Eddie never contacted us and Joshua obviously had no intention of fighting Deontay Wilder. Same venerable story, just novel date.”
The comments question Eddie Hearn’s recent suggestions that Anthony Joshua could face Wilder ahead of his planned clash with Tyson Fury in slow 2026.
Joshua is instead scheduled to face Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyad, ending any immediate speculation about the long-discussed clash with Wilder.
Just a few weeks ago, Eddie Hearn was here calling Wilder a warm-up fight for Joshua’s scheduled fight with Tyson Fury. This is a solemn marketing move. This keeps the fans engaged and gives the impression that AJ is willing to take on the most risky puncher in the league just to keep himself busy.
However, Shelly Finkel’s answer is fascinating. He firmly stated that there was “no reason” to be frustrated because no real approach was ever taken. If Hearn was solemn, the first step would have been to email or call Finkel. According to Wilder’s camp, such a thing never happened.
Instead of Wilder, Joshua is now officially scheduled to face the little-known Prenga. This move serves two purposes for Joshua’s camp: It is a much safer fight as Joshua rehabs from his car accident earlier this year. It also opens the door to a massive fight with Fury in slow 2026 without the risk of Wilder ruining a payday with one right hand.
This has been a pattern for years. We saw this in 2019 when uncontested talks failed, and again in 2023 when both were on the “Day of Reckoning” card but never actually paired up.
Wilder, who recently returned to the ring after a victory over Derek Chisora, also mentioned his interest in a future fight with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Finkel’s comments suggest that Joshua’s fight remains in familiar territory, being discussed publicly but never formally pursued behind the scenes.
Boxing
Hall of Fame champion claims he would be the one to beat Terence Crawford: ‘I’m going to win’
Published
5 hours agoon
April 28, 2026
The star fighter, who has made an astonishing 15 defenses of his welterweight world title, supported himself in a fantastic showdown with Terence Crawford.
Many consider “Bud” to be one of the greatest welterweight champions of all time, considering his size undisputed triumph over Errol Spence Jr in 2023
He had previously won seven straight 147-pound world titles, all through stoppages, but he could only cement his position as top dog by dethroning Spence.
Not only did he defeat “The Truth” and win his three world titles, but Crawford secured a surprisingly one-sided defeat over nine rounds.
After that career-defining moment, the American became the undisputed three-division champion, moving up to 168 pounds to dethrone Canelo Alvarez.
However, at welterweight, Crawford managed to produce some of his best performances, perhaps striking the perfect balance between being vigorous and impressively fit.
Another man who has had considerable success at 147 pounds is, of course, Felix Trinidad, who reigned as the IBF world champion for almost seven years.
Two of his greatest victories came against Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker, who both went on to create Hall of Fame careers in their own right.
It is therefore natural that “Tito” sees his chances in a direct fight with Crawford, saying: Fighting Hub TV that he would give “Bud” his only professional flaw.
“With all due respect to Crawford…Tito Trinidad – I will win.”
While no fighter has been able to answer Crawford’s mystery, it is equally safe and sound to say that the former five-division world champion has never faced someone like Trinidad.
Erik Morales Gives Fair Verdict on Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: “Who Will Win”
Anthony Joshua had “no intention” of fighting Deontay Wilder
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