Gennady Golovkin v Ryota Murata predictions and boxing betting tips

Free boxing tips, best bets and analysis for Gennady Golovkin v Ryota Murata from the Saitama Super Arena on Saturday morning.

Where to watch

DAZN, approx 10am Saturday

Best bet

Under 9.5 rounds
2pts 5-6 bet365

Big-fight preview

There’s a Saturday morning treat for fight fans when Gennady Golovkin and Ryota Murata clash in a middleweight unification bout in Japan.

Triple G is returning to the ring after a 16-month absence but WBA Super champ Murata hasn’t been in competitive action since 2019.

Golovkin turned 40 on Friday and clearly the Kazakhstan star can’t go on forever. However, he is a superbly gifted fighter and was good enough to beat Sergiy Derevyanchenko for the vacant IBF belt in 2019.

There’s talk of a potential third fight against Canelo Alvarez, should Golovkin win this bout, and it’s unlikely that Triple G will leave the belts behind.

Murata won gold at the 2012 London Olympics, but it has been far from a smooth transition to the pro ranks. The Japanese puncher has been beaten by Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam and Rob Brant, and that’s a worry, even if the Tokyo fighter avenged those defeats in subsequent rematches.

Murata has contested only 18 professional fights, but any ideas of significant improvement is tempered by the fact that the Japanese man is 36 years old.

Golovkin has wins over Kell Brook, David Lemieux and Daniel Jacobs on his card, and Canelo remains the only fighter to have beaten the Kazakhstan star in 43 bouts.

Triple G is one of those most feared bangers in the division and Murata has never been in with an opponent of that class.

If there was to be an upset it seems likely that it will be caused by the diminishing punch resistance of GGG, but Murata has to stand up to the power of Golovkin.

Given those factors, it’s difficult to see anything but an early finish in the Super Arena and backing under 9.5 rounds looks the way to play.

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport