An old but still gold Gennady Golovkin will be seeking victory in his record-equalling 21st middleweight title defence when he meets mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta at the Hard Rock Live in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on December 18.
The great Bernard Hopkins previously engaged in 21 middleweight defences in his 160lbs championship run between 1995-2005.
Golovkin, a battle-hardened 38, defends his IBF crown against unbeaten Pole Szeremeta still angling for that elusive trilogy fight with Canelo Alvarez, having drawn and lost controversial decisions against the Mexican star in 2017 and 2018.
After 14 months of inactivity enforced by the spread of Covid-19 across the globe, Golovkin (40-1-1, 35 KOs) is ready to war again in the return of the ‘Big Drama Show’.
“This is not just any fight. It is a fight with great meaning,” said Golovkin. “I always have the greatest respect for all of my opponents. I have really missed boxing and I wanted to fight this year. The goal — fighting for a record [equalling] twenty-first successful world title defence.”
Szeremeta (21-0, 5 KOs) added: “I want this title for Poland and my family. GGG is a great champion, one of the best in history, but it is time for replacement. Thank you for the great chance, I must take my opportunity to be the first world middleweight champion from Poland.”