By Edward Chaykovsky

Journeyman veteran Darnell Boone, who is still one of the most dangerous opponents in the game for an up and coming prospect, was used as a sparring partner for IBO/WBA/IBF middleweight champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin, who returns this Saturday night against Dominic Wade at The Forum in Los Angeles, California.

Boone is the only boxer who can say that he dropped Sergey Kovalev, dropped Andre Ward, and stopped Adonis Stevenson.

Boone fought Ward in 2005, scoring a knockdown in the fourth round, but losing a six round unanimous decision. He dropped Kovalv in an eight round bout in 2010 and lost a close eight round split decision. He was knocked out by Kovalev in two rounds in their 2012 rematch.

In the opinion of Boone, Golovkin would beat both Ward and Kovalev - if they every stepped in the ring with him.

Ward and Kovalev are being positioned to face each other in the fall, but Boone feels the Olympic gold medal winner needs a few more fights before facing the unified champion of 175-pounds.

“Triple-G beats Ward and Kovalev,” Boone said to the LA Times. “Ward has better boxing skills, but with the power, it’s Gennady. What separates him is he trains so hard. To see him work out and spar, he’s a different fighter, never wastes shots, never gets overzealous.”

“I like Ward, but if he can’t shake off the rust .… It looked like something was missing [in last month’s fight with Sullivan Barrera]. He was flat-footed, he was breathing heavy. I don’t know if it’s the added weight or the layoff, but whatever, they’ve got to get it under control."

“I think he needs two or three more fights before Kovalev. I’m keeping it 100. That fight this year? Dangerous. If Kovalev hits him with those shots he usually hits guys with, it could be an early night.”