September 7, 2017

Golovkin v Alvarez – The Biggest Boxing Fight of The Year?

It’s fair to say that boxing fans have been rather spoilt this year. From seeing Anthony Joshua topple former world champion Vladimir Klitschko in April, to when Betsafe ambassador Tony Bellew overcame the odds to defeat compatriot David Haye in early March, to the recent mega-fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas. 

The big fights just keep on coming and what better way to whet an appetite than Canelo Alvarez v Gennady Golovkin. The Mexican’s showdown with the undefeated Kazakh Killer is one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting events in recent history, and looks set to live up to its lofty billing. 

Alvarez v Golovkin

Why is this fight so special?

Frankly, a match-up between two genuinely talented boxers who happen to co-exist in the same era and are currently plying their trade in and around the same weight category is very rare. Rarer still that one of the fighters, the 35-year old Golovkin, remains unbeaten.

The Middleweight division has arguably not seen a bout like this featuring two fighters of such calibre since the 1980’s, when Marvin Hagler memorably knocked-out Thomas Hearns, who was moving up from Welterweight. 

Alvarez himself has moved up from Welterweight, making his debut at 155lbs with a win over the Puerto Rican great, Miguel Cotto. 

Golovkin, or ‘GGG’ as he is known to fans, has spent vurtually his entire career at Middleweight and the unified world champion has  a perfect 37-0 record that includes an incredible 33 knock-outs.  

Continuing Mexico’s proud history of producing some of the finest and exciting fighters in the history of the sport is Canelo Alvarez. Despite his somewhat tender age of 27, the man from Guadalajara has already fought 51 times – with his only loss coming at the hands of Floyd Mayweather.

Known for his agility and his technical skills, Alvarez also packs a powerful punch which has seen him knock opponents such as Cotto, Liam Smith and Amir Khan to the canvas. Whether he will be able to trouble the aggressive style of GGG, who takes hits and deals them out in tenfold remains to be seen. 

This fight will also see Golovkin, the Kazakh King, face his most high-profile to date. Alvarez commands a huge fanbase in his native Mexico and his win over Chavez was viewed in over a million households – which at the time was the highest since thw 2015 clash between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. 

Boxing’s biggest fight

This is a fight boxing can be proud of. It is boxing’s biggest fight. It is a fight for history. It is a real Mexican fight. Everyone will remember this fight. Canelo is No. 1 in Mexico, a country known for great fighters. He is very special. This is my biggest fight. I worked hard to become of champion of the world. I worked hard with Abel [Sanchez] to stay champion of the world. This is our Mexican Independence Day holiday weekend gift to boxing and to boxing fans. The fans have been asking for this fight for years. We are going to give a great battle. I am very excited to be finally fighting in Las Vegas, but I am more excited that it is against Canelo. The energy will be off the charts. Let me repeat — this is a fight boxing can be proud of.

Gennady Golovkin

Tale of the Tape

Canelo Alvarez

  • Record: 49-1-1
  •  Age: 27
  •  Height: 5’9″
  •  Stance: Orthodox
  •  Reach: 70.5″

Gennady Golovkin

  • Record: 37-0-0
  •  Age: 35
  •  Height: 5’10”
  •  Stance: Orthodox
  •  Reach: 70″