It was always going to happen; the Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin rematch. But when it does happen, on May 5th, that will be it. With no rematch clause in either fighter's contract, a triumvirate of matches appears unlikely. Whether it happens in in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas again or Madison Square Garden; this is most likely the end of the road for these two as a pairing.
Both, on the front of it at least, were convinced of victory as the final bell rang on September 16th. Arms and gloves aloft, it was difficult to be certain which way the belts were going. The drawn result, meant GGG retained his WBC, WBA and IBF titles.
The split draw was scored at 118-110 for Alvarez, 115-113 for Golovkin and 114-114. The draw, on balance, probably wasn’t a fair outcome. A removed, calculated stance would surmise that a victory for the Kazakhstani would have been the correct outcome for the 35-year-old. But Adalaide Byrd put paid to any chance of a marginal victory.
Her 118-110 scorecard was inaccurate and widely ridiculed. Such a chasm in the fight simply didn’t exist. It’s impossible to know what May will bring. But both fighters will want to ensure that the result will, obviously, be in their favour; but both accurate and reflective.
- Haye vs Bellew II
- Alvarez vs Golovkin II
IN FOR A TREAT!
#HayeBellew2
#CaneloGGG2
Golovkin turns 36 on April 8th. Despite having 12 year’s experience under his belt, Alvarez will still be only 27. Age didn’t have much part to play in last years fight. It shouldn’t overtly dictate the outcome of this one. But it will be an energy sapping battle. The eight months difference between the two fights is a tight margin in boxing. Fitness, physicality and sharpness shouldn’t be overtly hindered. But margins, no matter how slim, are often what does it.
Both men will enter into their respective training camps without relent. Golovkin honing his devastating punching, Alvarez sharpening his counter and adapting his strategy to try and find what he couldn’t in September, sustained domination.
Golovkin will almost certainly base himself in the Big Bear mountains. Favouring the solitude of the range, GGG trains at high altitude. Getting the balance right in how much time and effort to spend outdoors at that height, without wandering into detrimental territory, all part of the exact science high level boxing needs to sit at. He will most likely be based at Abel Sanchez’s Summit Gym.
Alvarez meanwhile, is likely to return to San Diego. The Mexican has trained for his last eight fights there and it seems unlikely he will deviate from that this time around. A mixture of road running, gym work and on average of three sparring sessions a week; at the core of his training.
The counter-puncher versus the head-on attacker. The momentum and the hype will build incrementally in the coming months. The crescendo, at an as yet confirmed venue. The probable winner? No one knows. But one thing that’s hoped for is that the scorecards – if it’s not a knock out – will accurately reflect what happens in the ring.
That type of drama isn’t wanted. The fight itself will supply more than enough of it. That much is for sure.
