Middleweight

Stevens holds fake funeral for Golovkin

ESPN staff

September 6, 2013

Curtis Stevens has wasted no time in winding up WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin ahead of their title showdown, after he held a make-believe funeral for the Kazakhstan fighter over the internet.

Stevens hosted the fake service via his official Twitter account, where he was pictured "mourning" with friends around a coffin marked "RIP GGG". The American further fuelled the trash talk by stating it was a "sad day" for New York.

The 28-year-old added additional insult to his opponent, who he faces at Madison Square Garden on November 2, by posing next to the coffin and adding "Sleep in peace. He was a good boy".

Undefeated Golovkin was given a special permit by the WBA in order for the bout to take place.

Despite this being a voluntary defence of his title, Golovkin still has to face mandatory challenger Martin Murray - a fight which is already being touted for 2014.