The Guardian
NIGERIA’S boxing sensation, Gifted Cole Chiori, is set to fight one of the best boxers in the middleweight category, Gennady Golovkin, but he is not bothered by the Kazakhtani’s pedigree.
Although Golovkin is yet to reach the height Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have attained, he is currently the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion. The Kazakhstani, who has 30 knockouts from 33 bouts, has been tipped to take over from Mayweather when the American retires in September.
Chiori, who also has 11 knockouts from same number of fights, noted that Golovkin is a good fighter, but would not have it easy when they finally meet because he is a throughbred boxer who thrives on tactics and is ready to take whatever Golovkin throws at him.
The Nigerian, who is rated 13 on the World Boxing Foundation (WBF), likened his style to that of Mayweather, adding that he would be difficult to beat when he meets the Kazakhstani.
Chiori said: “I know that Golovkin is the most dangerous boxer right now, but when he fights a clever boxer like me, he will be frustrated and lose his game plan.
“He has a lot of power, but I think I can topple him when we go head to head. All I need do is ensure I train well and get my footwork right, so that I can evade his heavy punches. I will also take the fight to him and land decent punches to ensure that I do everything to upset him.”
While admitting that his next six fights would determine the direction his career would be heading, he added that he plans to stage one of the fights in Katsina State in northern Nigeria.
Noting that staging the fight in the North would give him the opportunity to showcase his talent before his compatriots, Chiori added that he would have loved to stage the fight in Lagos, but due to lack of sponsors, hence the Katsina choice.
