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.
Pro Box TV
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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World Boxing News provides a round-by-round scorecard as Johnny Fisher faces Michael Pirotton at the Copper Box Arena in London.
Fisher and Pirotton collide over ten rounds at heavyweight as Zuffa Boxing stages its latest card in the United Kingdom.
The Romford Bull returns to action with Pirotton standing in his way as the British heavyweight looks to continue his climb.
WBN provides a live scorecard of the contest below, plus live results throughout the event.
Fisher vs Pirotton Scorecard
Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton
(Round-by-round scorecard will refresh every 2 mins)
Heavyweight Copper Box Arena, London 10×3
Round
Fisher
Pirotton
Round 1
10
9
Round 2
10
9
Round 3
9
10
Round 4
9
10
Round 5
10
9
Round 6
10
9
Round 7
10
9
Round 8
10
9
Round 9
10
9
Round 10
10
9
WBN Totals:
98
92
Official Result: FISHER MD – 98-92, 96-95, 95-95
Zuffa Boxing
Preview
Fisher faces Pirotton in the first fight of his lucrative deal with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing.
The Briton enters the contest with a 14-1 record, while Pirotton brings a 12-2 record into the Zuffa Boxing 11 bout.
The event is available live on Sky in the United Kingdom and Paramount+.
The Fisher vs Pirotton event unfolds alongside more live coverage on World Boxing News.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
World Boxing News provides results and updates as Johnny Fisher faces Michael Pirotton on Zuffa Boxing 11 at the Copper Box Arena in London.
Fisher returns to heavyweight action over ten rounds against Pirotton as part of Zuffa Boxing’s latest event in the United Kingdom.
Craig Richards faces Radivoje Kalajdzic at light heavyweight, while Lee Cutler takes on Louis Greene and Cesar Mateo Tapia faces Leo Ruiz at middleweight.
WBN provides results and updates from every bout as they happen.
Results
All times are local BST.
23:41
Johnny Fisher defeated Michael Pirotton by majority decision after ten competitive heavyweight rounds at the Copper Box Arena. WBN scored the fight 98-92 for Fisherwhile the official judges returned scores of 98-92 and 96-95 for Fisher, with the third scoring it 95-95.
22:42
Radivoje Kalajdzic improved to 31-3 with a unanimous decision over Craig Richards, who dropped to 20-5-1 after a good ten-round scrap. Both men had their moments and hurt each other at times before “Hot Rod” got the verdict on the scorecards, which included knocking Richards down for the first time in his career.
21:43
Lee Cutler carded a unanimous decision win over Louis Greene in their ten-round middleweight clash. Judges scorecard 98-92 and 97-93 twice in favor on Cutler, who improves to 17-2.
20:52
Ahead of the three main bouts, Zuffa’s only female fighter, Kayla Allendefeated Edina Kiss via TKO in their super lightweight bout.
20:32
Leo Ruiz overcame Cesar Tapia over 10 rounds at middleweight, scoring a unanimous decision to move to 18-1 as Ruiz Tapia suffered a first loss.
19:29
Alex MacMillan moved to 5-0 with a second-round stoppage of Guillaume Azagier, who went down twice in the opening round and again before the finish at 0:32 of the second.
18:40
Rogelio Romero improved to 7-0 with a third-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Aurel Ignat, ending the cruiserweight contest at 2:12.
18:24
Alexis De la Cerda improved to 10-0 with a unanimous decision over Cain Lewis, taking the eight-round contest 80-72, 79-74 and 79-73.
17:42
Fred Pullen marked his professional debut with a four-round points victory over Leonardo Faretina, who was dropped in the second round.
Remaining Bouts
Johnny Fisher vs. Michael Pirotton — 10 rounds, heavyweight
Craig Richards vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic — 10 rounds, light heavyweight
TV Coverage
The event is available live on Sky in the United Kingdom and Paramount+.
Follow WBN’s live boxing coverage throughout the event.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
World Boxing News provides results and updates as Liam Davies faces Nathaniel Collins in the main event at bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham.
Davies and Collins collide over 12 rounds for the EBU European featherweight title at the top of the Queensberry Promotions card.
Luke McCormack faces Kay Prospere for the vacant British super lightweight title, while Bradley Goldsmith takes on Amir Abubaker for the IBF International middleweight title.
WBN provides results and updates from every bout as they happen.
Results
All times are local BST.
23:11
Gerome Warburton defeated Nathan Heaney for the second time running as the middleweight put an exclamation mark on his first victory.
Heaney walks away from the sport having been an entertainer through a long carer, without reaching the heights of a world title.
22:04
Liam Davies improved to 19-1 after Nathaniel Collins retired at the end of the seventh round due to a cut over his right eye. Collins had also been dropped in the opening round as Davies successfully defended the European featherweight title.
21:22
Bradley Goldsmith improved to 17-1 with a seventh-round stoppage of Amir Abubaker to retain his IBF International middleweight title. Abubaker went down in the fourth and three times in the seventh before the finish at 2:42.
20:10
Lewis Richardson improved to 3-0 with a shutout six-round points victory over Ivan Trofimovich, earning a 60-54 decision.
19:56
Luke McCormack moved to 6-0 and claimed the vacant British super lightweight title with a tenth-round knockout of Kay Prospere, who was counted out after a right uppercut at 1:28.
18:55
Michael Hussain moved to 5-0 with a four-round points victory over Nabil Ahmed, earning a 39-38 decision.
18:11
Nelson Birchall moved to 12-0 with a third-round stoppage of Lewis Morris, who went down before the finish came at 1:12. Lasha Guruli also remained unbeaten at 5-0 after edging Hughie Wilson 77-75 over eight rounds.
17:22
Early action saw John Tom Varey and Reese Lynch claim four-round victories to move to 3-0 and 5-0 respectively.
TV Coverage
DAZN provides full worldwide coverage.
Follow WBN’s live boxing coverage throughout the event.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
