There’s a different feeling to Saúl “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin’s middleweight championship fight on Saturday night in Las Vegas, then to that of last month’s bout between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor. The most striking differentiation being August 26th had a huge focus on cash, crass verbal jabbing and perceptions. This time, it’s nearly all about the fight itself. And that in itself, is its most refreshing aspect.
Both fighters are of the highest pedigree and meeting at the optimum time, despite accusations Alvarez has pushed this out. But it is a super-fight; well at least the super-fight that was craved en masse. Alvarez must surely be at his peak. At 27 he has been fighting for 12 years.
Incongruous to these isles, that a boy could turn professional at 15. But that’s the way it is in Mexico. They are the second most successful professional boxing nation in history – only the United States have more World Champions. As a teenager, he fought the ilk of Pablo Alvarado, 11 years his senior at 26. He knocked him out in two rounds. Teak-tough, yes; but he still didn’t have the same physical strength that comes with age. What he did have was nous.
The father and son training duo of Chepo and Eddy Reynoso saw this early, when Alvarez’s oldest brother Rigoberto, brought him to train in their Julian Magdaleno Gym in Guadalajara. He had power, sure; but he had the thinking process of someone beyond his years, beyond his experience.
On Saturday, Alvarez will use those building blocks and what he has learnt since, to endeavour to unsettle Golovkin. Against Mayweather in 2013, Alvarez learnt a lot. Humility wasn’t one of the lessons learnt, because he already had that. He wasn’t caught off guard by arrogance; he’s not that type of man. He was dominated however. Mayweather landed over twice the number of punches that Alvarez managed. Mayweather’s timing was impeccable; his jabbing was on point and his defensive game was flawless.
Canelo will counter attack on Saturday, but less at will. Expect a more calculated approach and a solid return on his jab as well as that power punch that has seen a litany of knockout and total knockout victories, since that lesson learned from Mayweather.
So tight are the margins of this fight that many are in two minds as to who they see coming out on top in the T-Mobile arena. Former WBO cruiserweight title holder Enzo Maccarinelli said as much on Twitter on Wednesday, tweeting “I've changed my mind today I'm going ggg”. And that’s understandable; because there are so many variables.
Four days. #CaneloGGG pic.twitter.com/3ZUPEqxkJK
— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) September 12, 2017
Golovkin’s intensity of approach is unmatched at present. His aggressive style is something that has endeared him to fans and pundits alike; excited by his gladiatorial ways. But if Golovkin is not afraid to take the hits in the name of attack, would he be wiser to err somewhat on the side of caution? It may not be his style. But he is a smart enough fighter to know what he’s up against.
He has said on a multitude of occasions that he will bring a good show; and he always delivers. His aggression, coming straight into it shouldn’t be misconstrued however. Golovkin fights directly, but his body is relaxed. He will be calm when he needs to be on Saturday and he will wait to get himself into good range to jab and punch.
This fight is an awkward one to call. For every argument for one fighter, you can counter it with something from the other. It will be tactical and it should go the distance.
Unlike three weeks ago, they are two men who are hard not to like. There will be respect in the ring but don’t expect either man to let the occasion cause them to freeze. But the margins will be tight, and for all the punching power, technique, stamina and dexterity that will exist between the ropes; a small margin of a points differential, could be what separates these two fine fighters.
