Gennadiy Golovkin stops Ryan Murata - but it wasn't easy

An aging and inactive Gennadiy Golovkin still has enough left to beat most fighters. 

Golovkin, 40, proved it Saturday night in Japan by stopping Ryan Murata in nine rounds at Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. 

Time was 2:11 into round nine. 

Golovkin, who picked up the WBA middleweight strap with the win, stalked Murata in the opening stanza. He jabbed and probed. Murata, 36, taller with a reach advantage, looked to counter. He landed a good body shot and right. Golovkin connected with at least a dozen jabs.

In round two, Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) spanked Murata with an uppercut. Left and rights followed. Murata clipped Golovkin with a right down the pipe. He kept working the body. Golovkin looked to be breathing heavily by the end of the round. 

Golovkin opened up round three by connecting with combinations. Murata wobbled but fought back. A left hook and right landed. The older Golovkin gets hit more now. Another body blow seemed to hurt Golovkin. He backed up and ate a right. A good round for Murata. Golovkin landed a left hook in round four. He went back to jabbing. Murata, bleeding from the nose, walked after Golovkin – connecting with two rights. Murata scored with headshots. Golovkin battled back. 

Murata’s gut shots were defiantly bothering Golovkin. He landed a chopping right and went back downstairs. Golovkin connected with a half dozen headshots. Murata (16-3, 13 KOs) tagged Golovkin with an uppercut. Golovkin scored at the bell.

In round six, Golovkin knocked Murata back a step with a jab. A hard right sent Murata’s mouthpiece flying. But not Murata. He walked into more shots. In round seven, Golovkin, working behind his dependable jab, laced Murata with combos. Two big uppercuts scored. Golovkin backed Murata into the ropes and went to work. Murata fired rights. Golovkin tagged Murata with left hooks and rights. Murata, his eyes blinking, staggered back to his corner.

Golovkin went back to work in round eight. Tough guy Murata fired right hands. Golovkin loaded up with huge rights and lefts. Golovkin had found his 40-year-old self. He pummeled Murata in round nine. Powerful hooks crashed home. Guts and a great chin were keeping Murata upright.

But not for much longer. 

A snapping right sent Murata down to all fours. Murata’s corner had seen enough and tossed in the white towel of surrender.  

The fight was over.