Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez
Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin
Fight Overview
Freak show over, the real fight is finally here
By Tim Dahlberg of The Associated Press
The freak show of a fight is over, and for that everyone in boxing should be glad. That Conor McGregor managed to make it into the 10th round against a retired 40-year-old who can't knock real boxers out isn't much to celebrate, unless you're McGregor's accountant. Now comes the real fight — and what a fight it will be.
Canelo Alvarez against Gennady Golovkin is as good as it gets in the Sweet Science, a sport that is in the midst of a renaissance of sorts. They meet Saturday night in a middleweight title clash as highly anticipated by boxing purists as was McGregor's challenge of Mayweather to UFC fans. Two fighters who both rank high on anyone's pound-for-pound list. One loss between them, with Golovkin's three middleweight belts on the line. And unlike Mayweather, they knock people out.
"It is not a fight," Golovkin said. "It is a war."
Whatever you call it, it shapes up as the most anticipated fight of the year in boxing. It's not too much of a stretch to say it might be the best middleweight clash since Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns engaged in their three-round classic more than 30 years ago. Styles really do make fights, and these are two fighters with explosive styles. "We're both going to fight a fight where anybody can win by knockout," Alvarez said. "We both have the power to win by knockout. But that's what makes for a great fight."
"I'm going to do my part to make it memorable so I can go down in history as one of the best fighters," Alvarez said.
Alvarez is already a superstar in his native Mexico, the most celebrated boxer in a boxing-mad country. He does beer commercials with Sylvester Stallone and has been a steady pay-per-view draw, with his 2013 loss to Mayweather checking in as the fourth most watched pay-per-view of all time. Now the charismatic redhead is a full-fledged middleweight, after waiting nearly two years to agree to meet Golovkin while he moved up from 154 pounds. He'll need to bring the power that has gotten him 34 knockouts against Golovkin, a former amateur star from Kazakhstan now living in Los Angeles who has knocked out 33 opponents in winning all 37 of his pro fights.
The fight is a rarity in boxing, two stars in their prime meeting in a fight that will likely define both their careers. It's a huge risk for both, but the rewards should be good, too, with purses north of $10 million. Golovkin is making his 19th title defense, one off the record of 20 in the middleweight division set by Bernard Hopkins. He has done it fighting everywhere but in the boxing capital of the world, where he will make his debut against Alvarez at Las Vegas' new T-Mobile Arena.
The fight is a showcase of all that's good about boxing, a sport that is enjoying a good run in recent months. It's the best against the best in their prime in a fight fans have been clamoring to see.
And there will be no excuses no matter which way it goes.
Where/When
The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 16, 2017, live on PPV at 8pm EST. The main event should begin sometime after 11pm EST.
Complete international TV listings [link]
Estimated Ring Walk times (EST):
8:10pm - Ryan Martin vs Francisco Rojo
8:50pm - Randy Caballero vs Diego De La Hoya
10:00pm - Joseph Diaz Jr vs Jorge Lara
11:00pm - Saul Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin
The Belt
This magnificent and unique Huichol belt, which reflects the heritage of an entire culture that has remained intact through time, tells an individual tale, while equally representing the flags of Mexico and Kazakhstan. Artist Luis de la Cruz worked over 300 hours alongside his brother Sergio, to achieve this. Both of them managed to capture the essence of two great boxing nations.
GIFS
Hype Videos
24/7: Canelo/Golovkin Episode 1 - Full Show (HBO Boxing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrdGoqt_Wv4
24/7: Canelo/Golovkin Episode 2 - Full Show (HBO Boxing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNHDAf0pdAk
I Am Boxing (full movie)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWF6NMF2X3g
Under the Lights: Canelo vs. Golovkin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gykpVko-omE
Gennady Golovkin Vs Canelo Alvarez Promo (Hancho Boxing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHF6D7t5Jlc
Golovkin vs Canelo | GP Promo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YPI7WVI9lE
