Gennadiy Gennadyevich Golovkin “Triple G” will be fighting Santos Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez Barragán which is set to happen this Saturday. This fight will complete their trilogy at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Where they have already squared off twice in the last five years.
GGG
Kazakhstani professional boxer Golovkin has been reigning in titles since early 2010. His amateur career started in the early 2000s. He’s one of the greatest boxers of our time with a near flawless record of 44 fights, 1 loss and 1 draw. Both of those stains on his record are courtesy of Canelo Alvarez.
Though Triple G’s reign is supreme and he has held his titles without any doubt. His age and vitality is finally beginning to catch up to him. To that point his rival Canelo Alvarez has only shown improvements in his skillset since their very first encounter.
The First Fight Was Very Close
GGG was the favored fighter both before and after the match by the general public. But the judges believed it to be a draw. Alvarez had somehow technically and masterfully out-played the brilliant KO artist in GGG. Golovkin scored more points and he certainly evaded more punches. However Canelo would throw power punch combinations in such a devastating manner. That the judges thought he was a compelling argument for a draw.
First and foremost was the fact that he stood toe to toe with GGG and didn’t get knocked out. GGG has a wild knockout record of 23 KOs from 2008 to 2017. But also the fluidity of movement both in resistance to damage. All the while counter striking with combinations of his own. GGG had faced competition before but none that defied his reign as rebelliously as the Mexican striker. Read about the first fight GGG Vs Canelo 1!
Some say if GGG committed to the knockout against Alvarez he would have found an easier victory. And seeing Canelo show vulnerability in his prior meeting with Dmitry Bivol, it’s a compelling possibility that GGG could have found that finish. But the team of Alvarez played the game extremely smart and waited for Golovkin to age and slow down. Maybe now the tables have turned.
Canelo Alvarez
Canelo showed real promise as a professional fighter from a very young age. He was introduced to amateur boxing at the age of 13 and transitioned to professional boxing at 15. If that wasn’t wild enough he went on to decimate his next 13 opponents. All of whom were significantly older than him. Since then he’s had rivalries with the infamous Floyd Mayweather, Julio César Chávez and the sensational Dimitry Bivol.
Canelo’s’ career showcases how much he’s developed as a combination puncher and built his natural endurance. All the while becoming a much faster, and smarter boxer. He plays well to his strengths of being the busier fighter and slowing his opponents by damaging them with body shots.
The Second Fight Was Surprising
Oh boy was this one controversial. The previous fight ended in a draw. The second fight ended with the judges favoring Alvarez. Golovkin was clearly the winner by the media and fans. Even statistically Golovkin landed and evaded more punches. However the judges saw Canelo return against the KO artist and this time with new confidence. He was out pacing Golovkin while rotating around the ring. Preventing clear shots from landing while racking the body of GGG.
Triple G kept distance and couldn’t find the knockout punch to finish the fight, while Canelo’s agile crisp counterpunching won him the match by decision. Canelo showcased how he was faster inside close quarters and that GGG couldn’t find equal purchase if he was stuck maintaining distance. Many think that Alvarez cracked the code. The predictions of the second fight GGG vs Canelo 2!
The Trilogy Fight
Team Canelo has won the pre fight strategy game. They have chronologically waited out GGG and further Canelo has improved significantly since both those bouts. There even is a chance now of Golovkin getting knocked out by Alvarez.
However, if GGG plays to his strengths and uses his powerful left jab to keep Canelo at a distance. And if he can prevent Canelo from circling and getting to utilize his footwork. He can find a knockout like he has done many times before.
It can be said that Canelo has only become a spicier fighter over the years. He’s not only the faster younger fighter in this matchup but the favored fighter as well coming into Saturday. GGG really has a test on his hands this time with both his age and former power being questioned by all. Is he truly the Knockout Artist of Legend or will he find a release from boxing against now veteran Alvarez?
RDX is extremely excited that both these fighters will be facing each other for a third time. The entire boxing community and fans behind these two athletes have wanted a completion in the saga. Now both face each other at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST.
