International Boxing Federation middleweight champion Gennadiy Gennadyevich Golovkin of Kazakhstan arrived in Japan on March 31 to have a title unification fight with World Boxing Association middleweight ‘’super’’ champion Ryota Murata of Teiken Boxing Gym on Apr. 9 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama Prefecture.

After arriving at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, the former triple middleweight titlist had an interview in writing and said, ‘’I am very pleased and happy. While our planned fight has been postponed for a couple of times, I am relieved now because I am here in Japan at long last.’’

While the fight was initially planned on Dec. 29 last year, it was cancelled some three weeks before the fight due to the Japanese government’s entry ban on nonresident foreigners, effective from late November to the end of February this year, amid concern over the rapid spread of the highly contagious Omicron virus variant across the world.

But Golovkin, popularly known as GGG from his acronym, said, ‘’I was in a training camp when the postponement was decided, and back at that time there was a possibility of the new fight date would be in February this year. So, I didn’t leave my training camp completely. I then launched a new training camp at the beginning of February for this April fight.’’

Asked about Murata, Golovkin said, ‘’Murata was an Olympic gold medalist and became a world champion twice. There must be some reason for that. He is an excellent fighter. I have, therefore, a lot of respect for what he has achieved so far and his talent. Since he is such a good boxer, the night of the coming fight will prove to be an exciting one not only for fans but also for him and me. What I am hoping is to show everything I have practiced during my training camps in a perfect fashion. Please keep a watchful eye on me and him in the fight.’’

He added, ‘’I think Murata is an intelligent and strong boxer because he must have gone through hard training. That is why he is a dangerous opponent for me. I will not reveal the content of my training I had during the camps though.’’

Golovkin and his entourage will stay at a first-class hotel in Tokyo for GGG’s final adjustment for the Apr. 9 showdown with Murata.

Golovkin, who will turn 40 on the previous day of the fight, has a record of 41 wins, including 36 KOs, against a loss and a draw, while the 36-year-old Murata has a 16-2 win-loss tally with 13 KOs.