Golovkin, Tarver, Benn headline boxing's 2026 Hall of Fame class - ESPN

Gennadiy Golovkin, the power puncher who made a record-tying 20 consecutive middleweight title defenses, was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Thursday.

Former champions Antonio Tarver and Nigel Benn are the other headline names in the class that will be enshrined in the museum in Canastota, New York. The ceremony is scheduled for June 14, 2026.

The IBHOF Class of 2026 announced! <a href=«https://twitter.com/GGGBoxing?ref_src=» https:>@gggboxing

<a href=«https://twitter.com/AntonioTarver?ref_src=» https:>@antoniotarver <a href=«https://twitter.com/NigelGBenn?ref_src=» https:>@nigelgbenn <a href=«https://twitter.com/naoko_fujioka?ref_src=» https:>@naoko_fujioka <a href=«https://twitter.com/JACKIENAVA_of?ref_src=» https:>@jackienava_of Russ Anber, Frank Cappuccino, Jimmy Glenn, Dr. Flip Homansky, Kevin Iole, Alex Wallau and Jimmy Clabby to be honored. More information here https://t.co/SvGyIacKpZ pic.twitter.com/sjLfUaypuB

Golovkin was elected in his first year on the ballot in voting by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians.

The native of Kazakhstan went 42-2-1 with 37 KOs. After earning his first title in 2010 in his 19th fight, he remained champion at 160 pounds until Canelo Alvarez edged him in 2018 in their second bout. The 20 consecutive defenses tied the division record set by Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins.

«This is the biggest honor in boxing and the last piece of the puzzle in my career. I'm proud to have a legacy in boxing,» Golovkin said after being informed of his induction by the Hall.

Triple G fought to a draw with Alvarez in their first matchup and lost to him in a challenge for the super middleweight title in his final fight in