On Friday, December 18th, DAZN will present a live boxing event from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, featuring one of the best middleweights of all-time as Gennadiy Golovkin defends his IBF title against Kamil Szeremeta.
In addition to the main event, this show features two other world title fights on the undercard as Ali Akhmedov battles Carlos Gongora for the vacant IBO super middleweight title and unbeaten WBA super featherweight champ Hyun Mi Choi defends her WBA belt against Calista Silgado.
In total, there are six fights scheduled for this event. GGG vs Szeremeta has a start time of 5PM ET, but the main event fight won’t begin until around 8pm ET on DAZN.
As of this writing, boxing betting sites have released odds on the main event only. Let’s take a look at the GGG vs Szeremeta odds and props, size up some of the other undercard fights, and make some championship winning predictions.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝘀 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴𝘁𝗵 💥 pic.twitter.com/W8WwcvfHiM
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 24, 2020
Hyun Mi Choi vs Calista Silgado
- Hyun Mi Choi (NA)
- Calista Silgado (NA)
When online betting sites release odds for this fight, I would imagine that Hyun Mi Choi will be a very large betting favorite to successfully retain her title.The unbeaten world champ is looking to extend her title reign that’s lasted for over 12 years.
Choi vs Silgado Preview
| Details | Hyun Mi Choi | Calista Silgado |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 30 | 32 |
| Height | 5’7” | 5’5” |
| Reach | — | — |
| Total Fights | 18 | 33 |
| Record | 17-0-1 | 19-11-3 |
| Knockouts | 4 | 14 |
Calista Silgado is a veteran of the sport with 33 pro fights. She’s 4-4 in her last eight fights spanning the last four years. Silgado is returning to the ring 3 ½ months after successfully winning in August via 2nd round KO.
The Colombian has won two straight contests, but does have 11 losses in her career with three via TKO/KO. She’s 0-6 in her previous six attempts to win a world title.
Choi won the world title in her first fight and has been competing in championship bouts her entire professional career. However, this will be her first ever fight in America and it’s something that she’s always dreamed of:
“From the time I started boxing, it was my dream to fight in the United States. Now, it’s time to realize that dream. I am ready to show everyone a great boxing match. Through this match I hope to gain respect and support from the world. I’m looking forward to my first match in the United States.”
Choi is a points fighter as she’s gone the distance in 14 of her 18 pro contests. Unbeaten as a pro, Choi is one of the most unknown champs in women’s boxing. Yet, with more fights in America, that will change quickly.
As for this weekend’s contest, there’s absolutely no reason to think that Choi won’t win. She’s the better fighter between the two and I expect the champ to retain her title as she cruises to a unanimous decision win.
Hyun Mi Choi vs Calista Silgado –Choi (NA)
Ali Akhmedov vs Carlos Gongora
- Ali Akhmedov (NA)
- Carlos Gongora (NA)
As of this writing, there are no betting odds available for this contest. If I had to guess, Ali Akhmedov would be listed as the betting favorite. He’s the higher ranked prospect and has actually climbed up into the Top 15 rankings for the WBC and WBO.
Akhmedov vs Gongora Preview
| Details | Ali Akhmedov | Carlos Gongora |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25 | 31 |
| Height | 6’1” | 6’1” |
| Reach | 68” | 72” |
| Total Fights | 16 | 18 |
| Record | 16-0 | 18-0 |
| Knockouts | 12 | 13 |
Although unbeaten in his career, this will be Gongora’s toughest test to date. Not only has the Ecuadorian never fought someone as good as Akhmedov, but he’s also never competed in a 12 round fight like this bout is scheduled for.
Gongora last fought in January and defeated Elie Augustama via unanimous decision in a six round contest. Prior to that, he scored a 1st round KO over Alan Zavala in August 2019. He fought three times in 2019 and won twice via TKO/KO.
As for this weekend’s matchup, Gongora had the following comments about the title fight:
“I know I will be in tough with Akhmedov and I am ready for anything he wants to offer. We will see if he can do the same against me. Boston is about to see the start of its newest championship dynasty – mine.”
One of Golovkin’s fighters is Ali Akhmedov who he also trains with on a regular basis. In fact, GGG has publicly stated how Akhmedov has really evolved and is ready to become a world champ.
This will be Akhmedov’s first fight in 2020. He last competed 14 months ago and defeated Andrew Hernandez via 1st round TKO.
Prior to that, he fought Marcus McDaniel who was 15-0 at the time. They competed for the WBC international silver super middleweight title and Akhmedov won via 3rd round TKO.
𝙁𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🚨
Undercard confirmed for #GGGSzeremeta on December 18, including two world title clashes ⬇️
👑 Ali Akhmedov vs Carlos Góngora (IBO World Super-Middleweight title)
👑 Hyun Mi Choi vs Calista Silgado (WBA Super-Featherweight title)
𝙋𝙇𝙐𝙎 ⬇️ @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/T7mXNWZM4N
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) December 11, 2020
Akhmedov made the following comments about this contest:
“Title fights have always been my goal, and together with the team we became one step closer to the world title. I am confident in myself, my strength, and can’t wait to step into the ring. The training camp was held at the highest level as always, and I am ready for the fight.”
It’s not a matter of “if,” more than “how” Akhmedov will win this fight. He only has one decision victory in his last six pro wins. With that said, I believe we’re going to see another TKO/KO win for Akhmedov this weekend.
If he can rough up Marcus McDaniel then I believe he will finish off Gongora before it gets to the 10th round. Take Akhmedov to win via TKO/KO.
Ali Akhmedov vs Carlos Gongora –Akhmedov (NA)
Gennadiy Golovkin vs Kamil Szeremeta
- Gennadiy Golovkin (-3000)
- Kamil Szeremeta (+1100)
Like he’s been for the better part of the last decade, Gennadiy Golovkin comes into this fight as the massive betting favorite with odds ranging from -2500 to -4800. Kamil Szeremeta enters as a large underdog with odds ranging from +900 to +1600. I would imagine that these odds go up some as we get closer to fight night.
Golovkin vs Szeremeta Preview
| Details | Gennadiy Golovkin | Kamil Szeremeta |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 38 | 31 |
| Height | 5’10.5” | 5’9.5” |
| Reach | 70” | — |
| Total Fights | 42 | 21 |
| Record | 40-1-1 | 21-0 |
| Knockouts | 35 | 5 |
Kamil Szeremeta is unbeaten in 21 fights. He earned the right to become the mandatory challenger for the IBF title by defeating Oscar Cortes 14 months ago via 2nd round TKO. It was his 3rd win of 2019 and the IBF felt that the Polish fighter was the right contender to Golovkin.
In addition to being ranked 3rd in the IBF, Szeremeta is also ranked 6th with The Ring. He remains unranked with the other three sanctioning bodies.
#GennadiyGolovkin makes 21st defense this Friday against #KamilSzeremeta https://t.co/a989OyzQTG
— East Side Boxing (@eastsideboxing) December 14, 2020
Kamil Szeremeta only has a 24% knockout rate with just 5 KOs in 21 pro wins. That’s not a good sign heading into a championship fight against one of the greatest middleweights of all-time. Yet, despite being the big underdog, Szeremeta is confident heading into this world title fight:
“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 a replacement. Thank you for the great chance. I must take my opportunity to be the first world middleweight champion from Poland.”
Will Golovkin Produce a Better Performance on Friday?
When we last saw GGG, he was going the distance in a fight against Sergiy Derevyanchenko 14 months ago. It was a contest that Golovkin was supposed to win easily. He started off strong with a knockdown in round 1, but couldn’t put away his opponent.
In fact Derevyanchenko came back strong and did some damage to Golovkin. Ultimately, fans and pundits felt that Golovkin was lucky to come away with the decision win as some believed he actually lost.
It was easily one of the worst fights of GGG’s career. Now, Golovkin has a chance to bounce back and show that last year’s fight was just a bad night and that he hasn’t lost anything. Furthermore, a strong win this weekend could motivate all sides for a trilogy fight with Canelo Alvarez.
The two men fought in 2017 and 2018 with the first fight ending in split decision and the second fight ending in majority decision victory for Alvarez. Pundits and fans still believe that GGG won at least one of those fights, if not both.
Nevertheless, the big money trilogy fight won’t happen without Golovkin looking great this Friday. The promoters can dress this up as a historic fight, which it is, but it’s all about how GGG will look.
For the record, Golovkin is making his 21st title defense which will set the record for the most title defenses in middleweight history. It breaks the tie that GGG has held with Bernard Hopkins. Golovkin made the following comments about this record:
“This is not just any fight. It is a fight with great meaning. 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 21st successful world title defense.”
Can GGG Get a Statement Win?
Everybody has a bad day at the office once in a while. Golovkin’s bad day just so happened to come in the ring last year against Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
With that said, I believe Golovkin will brush off that lackadaisical effort and come out with the tenacity that we’re accustomed to seeing from the champ.
I believe GGG will take the fight to Szeremeta very early. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he knocks down his opponent in the early rounds.
But the difference between this weekend’s contest, and the one last year, is that GGG will finish off his opponent and now allow Szeremeta to hang around.
I’m expecting a statement win for Golovkin via TKO/KO before the championship rounds. There’s nothing on Szeremeta’s resume that makes me think he can upset Golovkin or go the full 12 rounds. He’s only gone the full 12 rounds in one fight of his career.
GGG will get the big win and the hype train for a trilogy fight against Canelo Alavarez will be back on track. Ironically, Alavarez fights the next day against Callum Smith. Check back this week for our betting preview on that championship fight.
Currently, Alvarez is the betting favorite for a trilogy fight. Golovkin opened with the same odds as Canelo at -115. However, some boxing betting sites have GGG listed as high as +143 odds. Canelo’s line moved from -115 to -159.
It will be interesting to see how these odds change after each champion fights this weekend. I have a feeling the odds will grow in favor of Canelo if he wins this Saturday as expected. Canelo has the far tougher opponent with Callum Smith than Golovkin does with Szeremeta.
Gennadiy Golovkin vs Kamil Szeremeta –Golovkin (-3000)
Golovikin vs Szeremeta Full Card
- (C)Gennadiy Golovkin vs Kamil Szeremeta in a 12 round IBF middleweight title fight
- Ali Akhmedov vs Carlos Gongora in a 12 round IBO super middleweight title bout
- John Ryder vs Mike Guy in a 10 rounds super middleweight contest
- (C)Hyun Mi Choi vs Calista Silgado in a 10 round junior lightweight title fight
- Jalan Walker vs Rafael Reyes in a 6 round featherweight clash
- Reshat Mati vs TBA in a 6 round welterweight bout
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
