International Boxing Hall of Fame welcomes Golovkin, Tarver, Benn - ESPN

VERONA, N.Y. — Gennadiy Golovkin was always more about big punches than big words. Talking was for fighters like Antonio Tarver.

But on Hall of Fame induction day, even guys like Tarver can have trouble getting the words out.

«They always say I'm good on the mic, but I don't know, this is going to be tough,» Tarver said Sunday.

He and Golovkin both got through their speeches near the end of the ceremony for the class of 2026 that is being enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.

Golovkin went 42-2-1 with 37 KOs as one of the top middleweights in boxing history. He made a record-tying 20 consecutive title defenses in the 160-pound weight class, earning his first title in 2010 and remaining champion until Canelo Alvarez edged him in 2018 in their second blockbuster bout.

The native of Kazakhstan thanked his family, his trainers, his chef and officials from Madison Square Garden, where he had some of the memorable moments in his career.

«I have a great time with these people, a great time with my boxing family because, like 35 years I stayed in boxing, and this is my life,» Golovkin said.

Nigel Benn, like Golovkin also a champion at middleweight and later at super middleweight, where he held the belt for four years, was also enshrined after going 42-5-1 with 35 KOs.

Cut men Russ Anber and Jimmy Glenn, referee Frank Cappuccino and Dr. Edwin «Flip» Homansky, who became just the second physician to be inducted, were also enshrined during the ceremony at the Turning Stone Casino.

Tarver (31-6-1, 22 KOs) won one of his light heavyweight championships in 2004 when he knocked out Roy Jones Jr., who had long been considered the top fighter in the sport. Tarver beat Jones in two of their three