One common theme going into the third fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin on September 17 is Triple-G’s age, 40.
Of course, it’s natural to wonder whether Golovkin has declined, particularly because he has seemed at least somewhat vulnerable in recent fights. That’s why some believe Alvarez might blow out his rival after a disputed draw and close decision in Alvarez’s favor in their first two fights.
Golovkin’s trainer, Johnathon Banks, doesn’t see any reason to even go there.
“I think the only people that is worried about his age is the media,” Banks told reporters at a news conference in New York, according to BoxingScene.com. “I don’t even think the other opponents is even worried about his age. … I’m not worried about it. I worry about when I see the slow down. Then I will acknowledge it.
“But as of right now, as long as he stays motivated and he’s working his butt off to accomplish the goal, I don’t see any reason to pull him back and start discussing how old he is and this and that.”
That doesn’t mean Banks believes that Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) will be exactly the same fighter who tangled with Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs) in 2017 and 2018. The same goes for Alvarez, who will be 32 when they fight.
“Like I say, both fighters are different coming into this fight since four years ago when they fought,” Banks said. “I think both fighters are different and that will make it an even better fight.”
Alvarez will be defending his undisputed 168-pound championship against Golovkin. The Mexican star is coming off a unanimous-decision loss to Dmitry Bivol in May, his first defeat since he was outpointed by Floyd Mayweather in 2013.
Golovkin, a reigning 160-pound titleholder, will be moving up in weight for the fight. He has defeated Steve Rolls, Sergey Derevyanchenko, Kamil Szeremeta and Ryoto Murata (to unify two titles) since the loss to Alvarez.
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