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PARIS — A Kylian Mbappe penalty proved decisive as Paris Saint-Germain beat bitter rivals Marseille 2-1 on Sunday, meaning they could clinch the Ligue 1 title this week.

Mbappe converted from the spot in first-half stoppage time after the referee awarded a penalty for handball on a VAR review, restoring PSG’s lead following Neymar’s early opener and a Duje Caleta-Car equaliser.

PSG are 15 points clear of second-placed Marseille with six games remaining and Mauricio Pochettino’s side — who also have a far superior goal difference — stand poised to reclaim the trophy they relinquished to Lille last season.

If Marseille fail to beat Nantes on Wednesday then PSG can clinch their eighth Ligue 1 title in 10 seasons if they have a better result against Angers at the same time.

Despite the apparently high stakes for the biggest fixture in French football, there was a distinctly flat atmosphere at the Parc des Princes.

Authorities banned Marseille fans from the game over concerns of possible violence, a recurring them in France in recent months.

Meanwhile PSG ‘ultras’, the most vocal members of their support, have decided to stay silent until the end of the season in protest at the club’s management and at results in a campaign marked by the Champions League last-16 exit to Real Madrid. 

In any case, a record-equalling 10th French championship in their history has never really been in doubt for PSG, even before their current run of three straight wins in which Neymar and Mbappe have each scored six times.

Fans not happy

“We always want to see our supporters transmit their energy and make it a spectacle,” admitted Pochettino.

“In recent games since we went out of the Champions League the fans have expressed their anger and disappointment, and they are free to show that they are unhappy.

“That the club is in a position to win the 10th league title in its history is a big thing and it is a shame that we can’t all share that happiness together.”

Neymar gave PSG a 12th-minute lead, meeting a flighted ball forward by Marco Verratti and lobbing stranded goalkeeper Pau Lopez.

Marseille drew level just after the half-hour as Gianluigi Donnarumma made a mess of dealing with a corner, allowing Caleta-Car to prod home on the line.

Lopez saved a Neymar free-kick and Messi had two goals disallowed for offside before PSG were awarded the penalty deep in first-half stoppage time.

Valentin Rongier blocked a shot with his thigh, the ball ricocheting up and striking his elbow, an infringement spotted by the referee after he was invited over to the pitchside monitor.

Mbappe’s successful penalty was his 21st Ligue 1 goal this season and 32nd in all competitions.

The France star had another effort disallowed for offside in the second half.

Marseille then thought they had snatched a point when William Saliba turned in Dimitri Payet’s late free-kick.

Yet, that effort was also disallowed, and PSG held on.

Nice revive Champions League hopes

Despite seeing their eight-game winning run come to an end, Marseille remain on course to qualify automatically for the Champions League as they sit three points clear of third-placed Rennes.

Nice are another two points back in fourth after Andy Delort’s late header secured a 2-1 win over Lorient.

Ambitious Nice, owned by British group Ineos, had gone four games without a win to drop out of the European qualifying spots before this encounter.

Only the top two in France qualify automatically for the Champions League, with third going into the qualifying rounds and fourth into the Europa League.

Elsewhere Lyon bounced back from their midweek Europa League elimination against West Ham United to crush Bordeaux 6-1, leaving their opponents four points from outright safety.

Moussa Dembele and Karl Toko-Ekambi both scored twice and Lyon recorded their biggest win of the season as they seek to salvage European qualification from a disappointing campaign.

They are eighth, four points adrift of fifth-placed Strasbourg, who drew 1-1 at Troyes.

LONDON — Jurgen Klopp hailed one of Liverpool’s “best ever” performances as the quadruple chasers reached the FA Cup final with a “special” 3-2 win against Manchester City on Saturday.

Klopp’s side kept alive their bid to win all four major trophies in a single seasons thanks to Ibrahima Konate’s opener and Sadio Mane’s double at Wembley.

Liverpool were three goals up by half-time as they tore City apart with a scintillating display that Klopp rated among the very finest of his reign.

City hit back with second half goals from Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Reds reaching their first FA Cup final since 2012.

“Absolutely proud, incredible. The first half was one of the best we ever played. We did all the right stuff, we scored in the right moments. We were outstanding. I loved each second of it,” Klopp said.

“The second half started with the goal for Man City and then it opens up. The quality of City is insane.

“We respect City so much and it’s so difficult to win against them. But because we have these boys in our dressing room we have a chance.”

Liverpool are embroiled in a fierce title fight with City, who are one point clear of Klopp’s men at the top of the Premier League with seven games left.

They shared a pulsating 2-2 draw in Manchester in the league last weekend, and could still meet in the Champions League final.

Asked if their FA Cup semifinal success could be the springboard to pip City in both the Premier League and Champions League, Klopp said: “It’s not a statement, we are just in the final. 

“I think City knew beforehand that it could be difficult against us, that’s how it has been between us most of the time.”

While Liverpool are a step closer to football immortality, Klopp insists the fixture congestion caused by their progress to another final will make the quadruple harder to achieve.

‘Special moment’

“The quadruple talk I can’t believe it. Qualifying for this final makes the quadruple even more difficult,” he said.

“I don’t think we have a full free week before the last matchday. But we beat the strongest team in the world and that’s a pretty special moment.”

There is no rest for Liverpool in their trophy chase as they host Manchester United on Tuesday.

“In three days we play against United, who are fighting for a Champions League place. Historically it is not a friendly game,” he said.

“Then we play Everton, with the situation they are in it will not be a friendly game. It [the quadruple] is just incredibly unlikely but let’s go for it.”

Pep Guardiola’s decision to field a weakened team will be second-guessed, but City’s manager is adamant he was right to leave Kevin De Bruyne on the bench after the Belgian needed stitches in a foot injury.

With City’s treble bid over, Guardiola has to revive his fatigued players quickly if they are to hold off Liverpool in the Premier League and beat Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals.

“I have a lot of confidence in my players and the selection. We had a terrible time in terms of fixtures and travel. That’s why we need the fresh legs,” he said.

“The first half we were so passive. We were scared to support our teammates. In the second half we showed incredible pride when you talk about being tired. We had chances for extra-time.

“We tried to put energy in the players, but sometimes it happens. It is Liverpool.”

Guardiola refused to blame Zack Steffen for City’s defeat as the American keeper’s mistake led to Mane scoring Liverpool’s second goal.

“It was an accident. Ederson was close [to doing it] in the other game. The way we use our keepers, the way we move them around, I would say the averages, it can happen,” he said.

“We have four days until the next game [against Brighton]. We have to recover well for the two competitions we are in.”

MADRID — Real Madrid against Sevilla on Sunday could have been a key game in La Liga’s title race, but instead it will decide the extent of Madrid’s lead and how worried Sevilla should be about finishing in the top four.

A Real Madrid win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan would send them 15 points clear of Sevilla, who at the end of January were only five points behind the leaders, with a game in hand.

But a disappointing run of three wins from 11 league games has seen Sevilla fade away from the fight for the title and drift into the scrap for the Champions League places as local rivals Real Betis and Atletico Madrid look to take advantage.

A 4-2 victory over struggling Granada last weekend was much-needed for Julen Lopetegui’s side, even if it required two dramatic late goals in injury-time, Rafa Mir and Papu Gomez leaving it late to snatch the win.

Sevilla will be hoping to build on that result but they have a difficult run-in, with the game against Real Madrid coming before visits to Villarreal and Atletico Madrid ahead of a final game at home to Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid will be flying high on the back of their sensational victory over Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals, although being taken to extra time at the Santiago Bernabeu may also take its toll.

Ferland Mendy and Marcelo are both struggling with injuries while Carlo Ancelotti could rest the likes of Luka Modric and Karim Benzema, who played the whole 120 minutes on Tuesday.

Madrid’s progress in the Champions League, combined with their considerable advantage in La Liga, means Ancelotti has the option to rotate in domestic games until the end of the season, which could give Sevilla a boost.

“We’re in good form,” said Ancelotti last weekend. “We have an advantage in La Liga and we have to keep going.”

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are also coming off the back of strenuous outings in Europe after Atletico were knocked out by Manchester City in the Champions League before Barca suffered a surprise defeat in the Europa League at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Atletico are at home to Espanyol on Saturday, looking to bounce back from their 1-0 loss at Mallorca last weekend, a result that has dragged Diego Simeone’s side back into the race for fourth.

Real Betis, a point behind in fifth, visit Real Sociedad on Friday. La Real will jump above their opponents with a win.

Barcelona’s place in the top four has appeared more secure due to their form under Xavi Hernandez and their game in hand to be played against Rayo Vallecano. 

But the defeat by Frankfurt at Camp Nou could check their rhythm, especially after Pedri was forced off injured at half-time. Barca play at home to Cadiz on Monday.

“Right now there is criticism and pessimism,” said Xavi on Thursday. “But Barca has to put up with that and believe, starting on Monday against Cadiz. Our main objective is to qualify for the Champions League.”

LOS ANGELES — Trae Young scored 24 points as the Atlanta Hawks thrashed the Charlotte Hornets while the New Orleans Pelicans eliminated San Antonio in the NBA’s play-in tournament on Wednesday.

A decisive burst of scoring from Young and De’Andre Hunter in the third quarter saw the Hawks take control against an outclassed Charlotte team at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.

Atlanta will now face Cleveland in the final round of the play-in tournament on Friday, where a place in the first round of the Eastern Conference play-offs — against top-seeded Miami — will be up for grabs.

“We’re clicking at the right time and this is the time to be clicking,” Young said. 

After edging into a 60-52 halftime lead, Atlanta effectively sealed victory with a devastating third-quarter performance, outscoring the Hornets 42-24 and racing into a lead that stretched to 26 points at one stage.

Hunter and Young combined for 30 of those points in the third quarter, Hunter scoring 16 and Young adding 14, including three from outside the arc.

Hunter finished with 22 points as Atlanta’s balanced offense once again shared the scoring around. 

Six Atlanta players finished in double figures, with Danilo Gallinari claiming 18 points, Clint Capela chipping in with 15 and Kevin Huerter and Bogdan Bogdanovic adding 13 points apiece.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who can play,” Young said. “We’ve dealt with a lot of injuries this year but we’ve got a lot of guys who can step up and make plays anytime throughout the game.”

McCollum spurs Pelicans

New Orleans proved too strong for a youthful San Antonio side in the Western Conference’s sudden death elimination game, winning 113-103.

C.J. McCollum led the scoring with 32 points as the Pelicans punched their ticket to a win-or-go-home against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. 

The winner of that game will advance to a first round play-off series against the top-seeded Phoenix Suns.

New Orleans were given a scare by San Antonio down the stretch however after the Spurs gradually chipped away at a 21-point deficit early in the fourth quarter to trail by just six points with around five minutes left.

But eight points in the closing stages from Brandon Ingram, who finished with 27 points, and a big defensive display from Jonas Valanciunas (22 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks) settled the Pelicans’ nerves and closed out the win.

“I thought we did a pretty good job of showing poise down the stretch,” McCollum said. “We had some lapses, but all in all it was a good defensive effort.”

The defeat could possibly be the last NBA game in the glittering career of San Antonio’s veteran coach Gregg Popovich.

The 73-year-old led the Spurs to five NBA championships but has faced increased speculation about his future this season, with many around the NBA tipping that he may retire after 26 seasons.

Popovich however quickly shut down questions about whether he planned to return next season.

“That question’s inappropriate,” Popovich told a reporter, instead preferring to dwell on the growth of his young team, who have an average of 24.

“We’ve never quit all year long and tonight was a good example,” Popovich said. “We played poorly for three quarters and the three best players for New Orleans all played great. If that happens, you’re going to lose if you don’t match it.” 

“It’s the play-offs. The physicality and the grunt is really important, and we didn’t have it for three quarters,” he added.

“Great lessons for our guys. I don’t know if it was the enormity of the situation... Our youth showed until we collected ourselves, but it took too long.”

LIVERPOOL — Jurgen Klopp admitted he was relieved to see Liverpool book a Champions League semifinal showdown against Villarreal as the quadruple chasers survived a late collapse in Wednesday’s 3-3 draw against Benfica.

Klopp’s side already had one foot in the last four after winning 3-1 in the quarter-final first leg in Lisbon.

They were on cruise control for long spells in the second leg at Anfield, but had to hold their nerve before advancing 6-4 on aggregate after an uncharacteristic meltdown in the closing stages.

Ibrahima Konate put Liverpool ahead before Goncalo Ramos equalised late in the first half.

When Roberto Firmino netted twice after the interval, the tie looked all but over.

However, Roman Yaremchuk and Darwin Nunez struck for Benfica to briefly give the visitors hope of an astonishing escape act, before Liverpool finally restored order.

“When I’m not over the moon about qualifying for the Champions League semifinal, something is really wrong and maybe I should quit!” Klopp said.

“The situation was the defence had never played together and it was about details, staying 100 per cent concentrated.

“We were 6-2 up on aggregate. The players are human beings, they were like ‘Ok job done’. But Benfica kept fighting and I respect that.

“It was not exactly what we wanted but it is absolutely not important. We are through and that’s all that matters. I’m really happy.”

The Reds will face Spanish side Villarreal in the semifinals as they look to reach their 10th Champions League final and claim a seventh title in the competition.

Despite Villarreal’s impressive wins over Bayern Munich and Juventus in the last two rounds, Liverpool will be firm favourites to make a third Champions League final in the last five seasons.

“To beat Juventus and Bayern Munich, they deserve to be in the Champions League semifinals. Unai Emery is the king of the cups, it is unbelievable what he is doing. But give me a bit of time to prepare it properly,” Klopp said.

Liverpool sit one point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City after Sunday’s draw against their title rivals.

In the midst of a run that will define Liverpool’s season, Klopp was able to keep Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil Van Dijk fresh as he started with his stars on the bench ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semifinal against Manchester City.

Firmino stars

Konate had headed the opener in the first leg at Benfica and Liverpool’s towering centre-back tormented the Portuguese side with his aerial prowess again in the 21st minute.

Kostas Tsimikas whipped an outswinging corner towards Konate and he climbed above three Benfica players to head into the far corner from 10 yards.

Benfica snatched their equaliser against the run of play in the 32nd minute.

Diogo Goncalves’ pass clipped off James Milner and ran through to the unmarked Ramos, who smacked a fine finish past Alisson from just inside the area.

Any hopes of a stunning Benfica fightback seemed over when the visitors shot themselves in the foot in farcical fashion in the 55th minute.

Goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos was the instigator of Benfica’s meltdown as he fumbled what should have been an easy interception of Naby Keita’s over-hit pass.

Jan Vertonghen’s panicked attempt to clear the danger wasn’t much better and Jota crossed back into the six-yard box, where Firmino had the simple task of tapping into the empty net. 

Firmino followed his first home Champions League goal for two years with another 10 minutes later.

Tsimikas curled a superb free-kick to the pass and Firmino eluded Benfica’s sloppy marking to volley home from close-range.

With Klopp’s men taking their foot off the gas, Yaremchuk struck in the 73rd minute, rounding Alisson to slot home after beating Liverpool’s offside trap.

There was a sharp intake of breath around Anfield when Nunez scored with a predatory finish in the 82nd minute.

Moments later, Nunez’s low strike tested Alisson, but Liverpool held on to keep the quadruple dream alive.

NEW YORK — Kyrie Irving produced a near-flawless display of shooting to fire the Brooklyn Nets into the NBA play-offs on Tuesday with a 115-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Irving drained 12 of 15 from the field to finish with 34 points and 12 assists for a victory that sees Brooklyn into a best-of-seven series against the second-seeded Boston Celtics, starting on Sunday.

On the evidence of Tuesday’s performance, Irving will be brimming with confidence as he prepares to face his former club in Boston this weekend.

The 30-year-old seven-time All-Star was perfect from the field through the first three quarters, only missing his first shot early in the fourth quarter.

It was the latest in a series of impressive displays from the unvaccinated Irving, who was ruled out of the vast majority of Brooklyn’s home games this season due to Covid-19 regulations in New York.

“We only speak positivity on this entire journey thus far,” Irving said after Tuesday’s win. “It’s been ups and it’s been downs, but we’ve stayed together, remained resilient. 

“We’ve been through a lot of changes and we’ve evolved since we came out of the All-Star break. It feels good but we know that the job isn’t finished.”

Irving was backed by another commanding display from Kevin Durant, who finished with 25 points, 11 assists and five rebounds.

Durant was a composed presence throughout, notably helping Brooklyn re-establish a 10-point cushion with back-to-back buckets after Cleveland — who at one stage had trailed by 22 points — cut the Nets’ lead to just six points late in the fourth quarter.

“That’s as advertised,” Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said of Durant and Irving’s performances. “They’re superstars. That’s what top, top players do.”

Brooklyn led from start to finish, exploding out of the blocks to score 40 points in the first quarter to open up a 20-point lead that Cleveland never managed to recover from.

Nash however was satisfied that Brooklyn had been able to close out the win as Cleveland chipped away at the lead.

“You have to be prepared for that in basketball,” said Nash.

“Anxiety is part of the game, stress is part of the game. You have to embrace that and continue to compete and continue to find clarity and conviction.

“We’ll find lots of positives and also lots of room for improvement... Every day is a day for us to learn about ourselves and how we can improve on both ends of the floor.”

While the Nets look forward to the playoffs, the Cavaliers will face the winner of the other Eastern Conference play-in game between the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks for a place in the first round of the postseason.

In Tuesday’s other play-in game, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a hard-fought victory over the Los Angeles Clippers to clinch the seventh seed in the Western Conference.

Edwards scored 30 points and Russell added 29 as the Wolves won 109-104 to set up a first round playoff series against the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies.

A pulsating clash at Minneapolis’s Target Centre was briefly interrupted in the second quarter after a woman reported to be an animal rights activist attempted to glue herself to the court in protest. Security staff removed the woman after a few minutes.

Minnesota’s victory came despite a poor performance from star centre Karl-Anthony Towns, who fouled out early in the fourth quarter after scoring just 11 points with three assists and five rebounds.

Towns’ departure was the cue for a dramatic late rally from Minnesota, however, with the Timberwolves going on a 13-2 run to take the lead that ultimately proved the difference.

“We’ve got a special group, it can be anybody’s night out there like I’ve been saying all season,” Russell said. 

“Tonight we locked in to the details and what it was going to take to beat that team. Our group is resilient.”

MADRID — Luka Modric turned the tie and Karim Benzema settled it as Real Madrid held off a sensational fightback from Chelsea on Tuesday to win an enthralling Champions League quarter-final 5-4 on aggregate.

Chelsea wiped out Madrid’s 3-1 lead from the first leg in stunning fashion at the Santiago Bernabeu as Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner put Europe’s reigning champions on the brink of a incredible victory.

But the 36-year-old Modric intervened with another moment of genius to add to the very best of his glittering career, a sumptuous pass with the outside of his right foot setting up Rodrygo to volley in and sending a nerve-shredding contest into extra time.

After scoring a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge, Benzema then stepped forward to claim the winner, the Frenchman capitalising on a Rudiger slip to head in, a 3-2 defeat enough to see Madrid into the semifinals.

At the final whistle, Modric and Benzema dropped to the floor, their combined 70 years of age belying another two vintage contributions that have dragged Real Madrid in sight of a 14th European Cup. 

They will face either Manchester City or rivals Atletico Madrid in the last four.

After being thrashed by Brentford and then outplayed by Madrid in the first leg last week, Chelsea came in rejuvenated after putting six past Southampton in the Premier League last weekend.

Thomas Tuchel said on Monday they would need a “fantastic script” to pull off this comeback and they certainly delivered that, their only failing an inability to prevent Modric and Benzema doing what they have done so many times before.

Mount’s goal in the 15th minute set the tone, Madrid immediately consumed by tension and Chelsea given early hope. 

Mateo Kovacic had been key in the build-up but it was Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s quick pass into Werner that caught Madrid cold, the German steering the ball with his knee into the path of Mount, who advanced and fired past Courtois.

For 20 minutes, Chelsea were dictating, Madrid pegged back. Reece James was doing a fine job restricting Vinicius Junior, blocking Madrid’s escape route.

Chelsea take command

Benzema, Modric and Toni Kroos tried to wrestle back control, but Chelsea’s authority was even more pronounced early in the second half and within minutes they had a second, Rudiger rising high at the back post to head in from a corner.

With their lead gone, Madrid briefly exerted, the crowd coming into the contest. But Chelsea were celebrating a third when Marcos Alonso pivoted round Dani Carvajal’s sliding tackle and slammed into the top corner.

Madrid looked beaten, the stadium dead, but the referee was waiting. VAR spotted Alonso had controlled with his hand and when the decision was reversed, the Bernabeu erupted.

With 28 minutes left, the tie was back in the balance. Madrid had renewed impetus and almost scored, Benzema’s looping header at the back post dropping onto the crossbar.

But it was brief, Chelsea coming again in the 73rd minute as Kovacic slid through Werner, who coolly slalomed past two sliding Madrid defenders and sent a deflected finish dribbling into the corner.

A disappointed Kroos was taken off before a wild contest turned again on the moment of magic from Modric. With the outside of his foot, Modric stroked a 30-yard pass over to the right of the penalty area where Rodrygo, on as a substitute, volleyed in.

Chelsea looked the more likely to nick a late winner and nearly did, Kai Havertz nodding across the six-yard box but Christian Pulisic shot over.

Into extra time and Madrid found another gear, Vinicius finally finding space to tear into. His floated cross might have been easily cleared by Rudiger but the defender slipped, giving Benzema just enough space to guide his header in.

Chelsea, so composed all night, suddenly looked ragged. Eduardo Camavinga fired over. Courtois Cruyff-turned around Havertz. 

But they threw everything at Madrid in the final minutes, Courtois saving from Werner before Fede Valverde had to block a shot from Thiago Silva. Edouard Mendy went up for a final corner but it was cleared, Madrid holding on.

SAITAMA, Japan — Gennady Golovkin said the prospect of a third fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez was “interesting” after the Kazakh star homed in on a long-awaited trilogy by beating Japan’s Ryota Murata on Saturday.

“GGG” Golovkin, who turned 40 on Friday, stopped Murata in the ninth round to add the Japanese fighter’s WBA middleweight world title to his own IBF belt in a unification bout in Saitama, north of Tokyo.

The win moved Golovkin a step closer to a third crack at pound-for-pound king Alvarez, having pushed the Mexican all the way in two previous epic encounters.

The all-conquering Alvarez, having last year unified the four super-middleweight belts in just 11 months, will move up to light-heavyweight to challenge undefeated WBA champion Dmitry Bivol on May 7.

A September trilogy fight between Alvarez and Golovkin could smash box office and pay-per-view records but the Kazakh refused to look too far ahead after winning his first fight in 16 months.

“Of course, when an opportunity presents itself it’s always interesting,” said Golovkin, who ran into early trouble against Murata before taking control and winning by technical knockout.

“At the same time, Canelo’s fight is taking place in May and that is not going to be an easy fight. So I suggest we should wait until we get the result of that fight.”

Golovkin’s first fight against Alvarez, in September 2017, saw the Kazakh give an inspired performance, with many believing he had won — only for the judges to declare the bout a split draw.

The rematch eight months later was postponed after Alvarez tested positive for a banned substance.

When it eventually took place in September 2018, Alvarez battled to victory by majority decision after a pulsating contest.

Golovkin needed to beat Murata to stand a chance of earning another bite at the cherry, but the Japanese fighter came out swinging and landed several big body shots in the opening rounds.

Golovkin steadied the ship and gradually began turning the screw, sending Murata’s mouthpiece flying with a ferocious punch early in the sixth round.

Murata — a 2012 London Olympics gold-medallist — eventually succumbed in the ninth round, with his corner throwing in the towel after Golovkin sent him to the canvas.

‘Boxing perfection’

Golovkin said every round of the intense fight “was close”, but he was happy with his performance.

“Murata is a strong, solid boxer with a lot of stamina and a lot of patience, but at some point I was able to shorten it up and find the right distance,” said Golovkin, who took his record to 42-1-1, with 37 KOs.

The build-up to the fight had been notable for the mutual respect between the two fighters.

After the final bell, Golovkin presented Murata with his ring gown as the two embraced.

“This is our national tradition,” said Golovkin. “When you want to show a lot of respect to a person, you present them with your gown.”

Murata, now 16-3, was roared on by the home crowd against an opponent that was hailed as the biggest name to enter a ring in Japan since Mike Tyson in 1990.

Murata had no complaints after his team threw in the towel, and said Golovkin’s experience and technique had made the difference.

“Golovkin has an image of being strong, that he can just bludgeon you to the ground,” said the 36-year-old Murata, who was fighting for the first time since December 2019.

“But when you fight against him you can see that he’s strong but also really good — his blocking, his technique, his level of boxing perfection.”