Gennady Golovkin released a statement on Wednesday declaring the need to end his successful tenure working with trainer Abel Sanchez.
Up at Big Bear in California, Sanchez has laid the foundations for a winning team which had bred several world champions in recent years.
Golovkin moved there when he crossed the Atlantic as an unknown back in 2012. Since then, ‘GGG’ has elevated his reputation into one of the most fearsome fighters on the planet.
There are arguments that Golovkin should still be undefeated after two debatable decisions against Canelo Alvarez.
Despite this fact, Golovkin announced he’d be switching trainers for his June comeback against Steve Rolls.
“I would like to announce that I have made a major decision for myself and for my career,” said Golovkin.
“I want to build on what I have already achieved and continue to better myself. Therefore, I will not be training with Abel Sanchez.
“This was not an easy decision for me and it is not a reflection on Abel’s professional abilities. He is a great trainer, a loyal trainer, and a Hall of Fame trainer.
“I will be announcing my new trainer at a later date. But today, I want to thank Abel for the lessons he taught me in boxing.”
The shock move comes after Golovkin forged a partnership with DAZN. The Kazakh puncher signed a six-fight deal to see out his career on the streaming service.
GREED
DAZN’s involvement has led to Sanchez believing money was the reason for Golovkin’s departure.
“I am great (since the split). But unfortunately, big contracts create greed in ungrateful, dishonorable people,” Sanchez exclusively told World Boxing News upon hearing the news of Golovkin’s change.
WBN plans to speak with Sanchez in greater detail regarding his next move. Sanchez has several young up and coming contenders to now focus his attention.
Dropping a big name like Golovkin won’t be easy to recover from, and comes on the back of British heavyweight Joe Joyce doing similar.
Joyce joined forces with Adam Booth just a few weeks ago and moved back to the UK from the Los Angeles base.
Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay
