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Jean Pascal supports Gennady Golovkin in the Hall of Fame: “He deserved it”

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Golovkin Hall of Fame Jean Pascal

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.

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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.”

Gennady Golovkin Hall of Fame

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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Roy Jones Jr Says He’ll Return to Fighting One Fighter If He Gets an Eight-Figure Salary: ‘It’ll Make Me Prepare’

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Roy Jones Jr says he’ll return to fight one man if he gets paid eight figures: “It would make me prepare”

Roy Jones Jr has announced his price and is demanding an eight-figure purse if he is to make it through the ropes.

At his peak, the American became one of the best players to ever grace the sport, and his breathtaking speed and overall physical prowess made him seem almost unbeatable.

After winning world titles at middleweight, super middleweight and airy heavyweight, Jones even moved up to heavyweight and dethroned John Ruiz to win the WBA belt in 2003.

The pound-for-pound legend retired in 2018, when many thought his best days were behind him, only to take it to the next level exhibition match with Mike Tyson in 2020

Although it was a non-contest, many believed that Tyson outplayed Jones, who then returned professionally against Anthony Pettis and lost an eight-round decision to the former UFC champion in 2023.

Since then, the 57-year-old has remained on the safer side of the competition, but is now eyeing another comeback, this time against Misfits boxer Tommy Fury.

Having delved into the power side of the sport following previous professional victories over Jake Paul and KSI, Fury is now preparing to face former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall.

I’m talking to Betting showroomJones said he would only be willing to challenge the 27-year-old if he was handsomely rewarded for his troubles.

“Is me vs. Tommy Fury dead? Nothing is dead forever. Roy Jones is still alive. Tommy Fury is still alive. Who knows? For the right money, it would make me go to the gym to get ready.”

“If they give me $10 million of course. Ten and more, yes. If they don’t give me $10 million and more, then no, I’m not wasting my time.”

Fury’s six-round exhibition match with Hall will take place later today at the Manchester Arena, although the result will not affect his professional record of 11-0 (4 KO).

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Hamzah Sheeraz should fight Osleys Iglesias first

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Image: A High Cost: The Humiliation That Will Define Canelo's Next Two Fights

“There are a confined number of fights and he can’t fight every fighter. So why don’t you consider that [Iglesias and Sheeraz] think about who wants to be at the front of the line,” Kellerman said on InsideRingShow.

Kellerman rejected the idea that Canelo was firing any of the fighters.

“He’s not saying he’s ignoring Sheeraz and Iglesias. In fact, he just gave them a path. He said, ‘I’m fighting Mbilli.’ You are fighting each other. This is not a duck. This is about business,” Kellerman said.

Sheeraz has already made it clear that he has no interest in following the route proposed by Canelo. Responding to a suggestion from an earlier interview, the British fighter said he respected Alvarez but would not allow another boxer to dictate his career decisions.

A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could answer many of the remaining questions about both men.

Canelo is preparing to fight Mbilli, a fighter widely viewed as one of the most threatening fighters in the division due to his constant pressure and furious attacks. Meanwhile, Sheeraz has had two fights since moving up to 168 pounds, a fight against Edgar Berlanga, who he stopped in July 2025 after Canelo had already beaten him a year earlier, and 39-year-old Al Begic for the vacant WBO title.

A fight between Sheeraz and Iglesias could eliminate many of the questions that still haunt both men. Sheeraz would have the opportunity to silence critics who believe his super middleweight resume is slim, while Iglesias could reaffirm a growing reputation that has led some fans to consider him the division’s boogeyman.

The winner would pose a bigger and more marketable challenge. Instead of facing Sheeraz immediately after his victory over Begic, Alvarez could face an opponent who had a decisive victory over another world champion, adding more significance to what could be one of the final marquee fights of his career.

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Errol Spence Jr puts himself in line for an All-American main event if he wins his comeback against Tszyu

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Errol Spence Jr lined up for major all-American fight if he wins comeback against Tszyu

Errol Spence Jr gained additional motivation to defeat Tim Tszyu, knowing that the winner of the upcoming fight could face a potentially more lucrative opportunity.

The two former world champions will face each other on July 25 in Australia, with Tszyu having the home advantage and looking to rejoin the world stage.

To do this, the 31-year-old must defeat a credible opponent and prove that despite losing three of his last six fights, he remains one of the top super welterweight fighters in the world.

Ideally, he would have fought Spence at 154 pounds, but given his opponent’s three-year layoff, Tszyu ultimately agreed to fight at the catchweight of 158 pounds.

Before the long break, Spence lost the WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight titles to Terence Crawford, who defeated his rival with a surprisingly one-sided ninth-round stoppage.

However, even before his loss to “Bud,” many believed that “The Truth” would be better suited to the 154-pound division, where he plans to make his mark after his triumph over Tszyu.

If such a plan comes to fruition, Spence could enter into a national feud with Jermell Charlo, who has not fought since unanimous decision loss to Canelo Alvarez in September 2023

According to Mike Coppinger of Ring MagazineCharlo could very well face Tszyu if the Australian wins the fight against Spence.

“I was told he would be lined up to win [Spence-Tszyu]. Of course, nothing has been done yet. I’m told that behind the scenes, Charlo is being lined up for this fight, which will take place at 154 pounds.[lbs]”

Before the 168-pound fight with Canelo, Charlo became the undisputed super welterweight champion by dethroning Brian Castano by a 10th-round stoppage in 2022, less than a year after his controversial boxing draw.

The 36-year-old achieved this ambition by training under Derrick James, who is also Spence’s former head coach.

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