Retime

BREWING underneath boxer Gennady Golovkin’s epic rise is a tragic story that haunts him to this day.The Kazakhstan middleweight, who is intensely private, had to deal with the unexplained death of two his brothers who joined the Russian Army and never came back home.
Gennady Golovkin’s back story is rocked by tragedy
Before Golovkin became a king of the ring he lost both his brothersCredit: USA TODAY Sports
Sergey and Vadim Golovkin introduced their younger sibling to the sport that eventually would earn him over £25million, urging him to forget his football dreams and aim for a career in the ring.
But when the family was notified of their deaths four years apart from each other (in 1990 and 1994), Gennady made it his mission to honour them.
Since then, the man nicknamed Triple G has fought an nearly 400 times and prides himself on his iron jaw.
He has also battled Canelo Alvarez in two epic bouts, one that ended in a draw and another a points loss that fans believe he was cheated out of.
The pair will face-off again in September to decide the winner of their trilogy.
Humble Gennady now lives with his wife Alina in Santa Monica, California, while training out of a gym in the mountains of Big Bear.
However, when he turned 22 ‘GGG’ nearly turned his back on boxing because he was sick of the politics that blocked his breakthrough from amateur to professional.
A TOUGH START
Born in Karaganda in 1982 to a Russian coal miner father also called Gennady and a Korean mother named Elizabeth, who worked as an assistant in a chemical factory, Gennady had to survive in a state that was newly franchised from the Soviet Union.
One of four boys (he has a twin, Maxim), living in Kazakhstan was survival of the fittest back then and his brothers Sergey and Vadim knew Gennady needed toughening up.
When he was in nursery, they would hand-pick fights for their younger bro against older men.
Middleweight fighter Golovkin was dealt a tough card in life growing up in KaragandyCredit: AFP
When he was in kindergarten, Golovkin was encouraged to fight older men by his elder brothersCredit: AFP
As a young boy Golovkin was pushed into boxing and had a natural ability for the sportCredit: AFP
“My brothers, they were doing that from when I was in kindergarten. Every day, different guys,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
A career beckoned in the mines, just like his dad, but his brothers had other ideas.
Seeing that Gennady was skilled at sport, he loved playing football as a kid, they sent him straight to the boxing gym.
“‘Just try boxing,’ they told me,” he wrote in The Players’ Tribune.
“‘You need different activities.’ I wasn’t going to say no to them. I just nodded.
“And when we went, I didn’t like it. I didn’t like boxing. Who wants to get hit in the face?
“It’s a dangerous sport and I liked playing on my soccer teams. But, it came easy to me. I got it. I understood it. And I was very, very good. Right away. I remember just knowing as soon as I was in the ring, what I needed to do.
“I remember sparring for the first time. There were a lot of tough people there, but I wasn’t scared. I was tough, too. So, I stayed in the boxing club.”
TRAGEDY STRUCK
In 1990 the government informed the Golovkin family that Vadim was killed in action with the Russian military.
No explanation was offered as to how it happened, and his coffin was buried without a body.
Both of Golovkin’s brothers lost their lives in action with the Russian ArmyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The deaths of brothers Sergey and Vadim spurred Golovkin on to succeed
Then, four years later the same fate awaited Sergey, who also died in mysterious circumstances.
“Sergey and Vadim, of course, they were like my heroes. You know, like any older brother is,” Gennady revealed.
“We would watch Mike Tyson fights, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard. Amateur boxers from Russia.”
HARDLY AMATEUR
With 40 wins from his first 42 fights, one loss and a draw, Golovkin boasts an impressive professional boxing record.
But as an amateur, his numbers were off the charts. The fear of being forced to work down the pit saw him win an astonishing 345 fights and lose just 5.
It is said he has the hardest chin in the boxing game – having reportedly never been floored during his career.
At the 2004 Olympics he won silver, losing to the Russian Gaydarbek Gaydarbekov on points.
“When I got back to Kazakhstan, people recognised me. Before, I would get called a “genie,” or “magic man,” or people would say that that I was lucky in my fights even when I beat everybody in Russia or in Asia.
“It was always that I was a small, skinny guy who was “lucky.”  But, after Athens, I came back and people said, “O.K., you really are special.”
Golovkin had an astonishing 350 amateur fights before he turned proCredit: Getty Images – Getty
At the 2004 Olympics Golovkin won the silver medalCredit: AFP
BUT HE NEARLY QUIT
By the age of 22, Golovkin had become disenchanted with boxing, annoyed by the red tape that prevented him from turning pro.
“There was only amateur fighting for me there, and I wanted to go pro. But I couldn’t get a professional contract in my country,” he said.
“I beat other guys from other countries who were professional. I beat everyone. But I couldn’t get a contract. I couldn’t turn pro. I couldn’t. Not in Kazakhstan.
“So at 22, I decided I would quit boxing. I was tired of the politics. I had been boxing for so long.”
However, he was lured back in by K2 Promotions (The Klitschko brothers’ professional boxing promotional company) almost a year later and went into training in Big Bear with Abel Sanchez, the veteran trainer behind Hall of Famer Terry Norris.
“Abel didn’t know much Russian. And I didn’t know much English,” Golovkin revealed.
“But we both spoke boxing. And with Abel, right away, it was like with Sergey and Vadim: Whatever he told me to do, I wouldn’t say no. I look up to him.”
Aged just 22, Golovkin nearly turned his back on a future £25m fortune by quitting boxing
However, Golovkin soon ended up in America training in Big Bear, CaliforniaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
CANELO
Probably best known to a British audience because of his destruction of Kell Brook, in the US it’s Golovkin’s battles with Canelo Alvarez that are better remembered.
They first fought at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in front of a sold-out crowd of 22,350 in 2016.
After 12 rounds, judges scored the fight a split draw – even though pundits believed the victory should’ve gone to the Kazakh.
In 2018, the pair returned to the ring in what was another closely fought contest.
Alvarez was deemed the victor, with judges Dave Moretti and Steve Weisfeld both scoring the bout 115–113, while the third judge Glenn Fieldman scored it 114–114.
.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in boxing.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
Incredibly, of the 18 media outlets that were covering the event ten favoured Golovkin, seven saw it as a draw and one thought Alvarez was the winner.
“I showed my victory with facts,” he said in the post-fight interview.
“He was the one who was backing up. I feel satisfied because I gave a great fight. It was a clear victory.”
Golovkin has faced off against rival Canelo Alvarez twice, controversially drawing and losing the fightsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Now fully integrated into US life, Golovkin lives with wife Alina in Santa Monica, CaliforniaCredit: 2016 GED/NHL More

FLOYD MAYWEATHER has earned a life of luxury as one of the greatest – and most box office – boxers in history.And he certainly lives up to his ‘Money’ nickname when travelling, leaving no stone unturned in living the high life.
Mayweather, 45, always travels in styleCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
The £43.5million jet features Mayweather’s name across the sideCredit: Instagram @gentry_lv
Floyd can enjoy a massage onboardCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
Naturally the American, who is believed to be worth around £510million, does his fair share of travelling, and to do so, he has the perfect means of transportation.
Mayweather, 45, owns a plush £43.5million private jet, that has taken him to destinations including Monte Carlo, Hong Kong, Bali, Fiji and Tokyo, among many others.
And true to form, not a penny has been spared in making his frequent journeys as comfortable as possible.
The Gulfstream G650 jet, dubbed Air Mayweather, has glorious interior features including luxurious leather seats and even a bed for him to get some rest.
.css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1h37p88{background-color:rgba(236,245,247,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-16djrfc{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:1;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;padding-top:2px;}.css-1skzs3j{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:1;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;padding-top:2px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}READ MORE SPORT.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-h98a3b{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(236,245,247,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou a:not(.nk-card-link){z-index:2;position:relative;}.css-1uyse24{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border:none;}.css-1uyse24 .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(0,114,238,1);}.css-1uyse24:hover:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(0,86,180,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:active:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(0,62,129,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:visited:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24 .nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(34,37,38,1);}.css-1uyse24:hover:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(0,86,180,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:active:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(0,62,129,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:visited:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-xpuujo{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-tqcu81{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-bq4915{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,97,108,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}SUPER DEAL .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}New customers get £30 in FREE BETS when you stake any amount – 18+ T&Cs apply
Also on board is an in-built entertainment system, so that there’s not a boring moment in transit.
While perched on one of the leather seats, Mayweather has been known to have a nice trim, or even a rub down, having brought a masseuse aboard on a recent trip.
Air Mayweather features a satellite phone, a rarity even for luxurious private planes, in case he needs to make a call while cruising thousands of feet above the ground.
Floyd has also engaged in some high-stakes poker games aboard his jet.
.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

And he loves to show off his beloved aircraft on social media.
The plane’s exterior has his name planted across the side, while the letters ‘TBE’ are also visible, standing for ‘The Best Ever’.
Far from the conditions of a stuffy commercial flight, fresh air is pumped into the aircraft every two minutes, keeping Floyd in perfect nick.
Mayweather will no doubt have used his jet to travel to the Middle East for his latest comeback fight.
The boxing legend faced his former sparring partner “Dangerous” Don Moore  in Dubai on May 21.
They fought in an eight-round exhibition bout on top of the Burj Al Arab Hotel HELIPAD, with Money coming out on top.
Mayweather meanwhile officially retired with a perfect 50-0 record in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 33.
But he fought three times since, in exhibitions against kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 23, and YouTuber Logan Paul, 27, last June, which ended without a winner after no knockout was scored.
The American can enjoy an in-built entertainment system onboardCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
Mayweather can kip in comfortCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
Air Mayweather has cruised to a number of exotic locationsCredit: Instagram @gentry_lv
Having to board is never a choreCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
The interior is perfect for chilling outCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
The stakes are always high with Money MayweatherCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
Mayweather loves to show his prized possessions on InstagramCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
It’s never too early or too late for a rideCredit: Instagram @gentry_lv More