Check out these photos highlighting the trilogy fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Check out these photos highlighting the trilogy fight between [autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag] and [autotag]Gennadiy Golovkin[/autotag] at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Alvarez won by unanimous decision. (Photos by Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports)
Julieta Granada posted a photo of her stolen SUV and license tag hoping someone would spot it on the road.
Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennadiy Golovkin trilogy bout took place Saturday in Las Vegas – and the combat sports had much to say.
While the combat sports community was focused on UFC Fight Night 210 among other martial arts events, the weekend belonged largely to the highly anticipated trilogy match between [autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag] and “GGG” [autotag]Gennadiy Golovkin[/autotag], which took place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Of course, as is the case with every major fight in history, the combat sports community had a lot to say about it. Scroll below to see the reactions to the highly-anticipated third meeting between two of the greatest boxers of this generation.
Follow along with Boxing Junkie for round-by-round coverage of the trilogy between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin in Las Vegas.
[autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag] and [autotag]Gennadiy Golovkin[/autotag] will meet for a third time on pay-per-view Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and you can follow along with Boxing Junkie for round-by-round coverage live results here.
Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs) will be defending his undisputed super middleweight championship against Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs), with whom he is 1-0-1 in two previous fights.
The card begins at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). The main event will take place later in the show.
A victory wouldn’t have much of an impact on Canelo’s legacy – but a loss could damage it significantly.
[autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag] is in a no-win situation if you put a guaranteed windfall aside.
If the Mexican star defeats Gennadiy Golovkin in their third fight Saturday, critics will say he took down a 40-year-old who is past his prime and moving up in weight for the fight. If he loses, it will come against that old man and be his second consecutive setback after a one-sided loss to Dmitry Bivol in May.
In other words, a victory wouldn’t have much of an impact on Alvarez’s legacy given Golovkin’s current limitations; a loss could damage it significantly.
What’s the upside for Alvarez?
Of course, he probably doesn’t have much to worry about. He’s a significant favorite to win the third fight against his rival – about 4½-1 – after a controversial draw in 2017and a majority decision victory the following year.
If he has his hand raised on Saturday, he will have bounced back from the loss to Bivol and can finally put his bumpy history with Golovkin behind him. He could then focus on starting new rivalries, which is what he’d like.
However, potential disaster lurks ominously around the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas, the site of T-Mobile Arena.
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Golovkin isn’t what he used to be but he can’t be written off entirely, as some seem to be doing. He has only lost once in his 16-year professional career, after all. And he remains an elite fighter if you put stock in his middleweight titles and four victories following the second fight with Alvarez.
If Triple-G can pull off the upset, he would leave the 32-year-old Alvarez in a horrible – and unfamiliar – position.
Only four months ago he was No. 1 on most pound-for-pound lists, No. 2 on Boxing Junkie’s. And he hadn’t experienced defeat since a far superior Floyd Mayweather gave him a thorough boxing lesson in 2013, when Alvarez was a tender 23.
He had seemed to be all but unbeatable after that, reeling off a series of impressive victories over elite opponents to build a Hall of Fame career and climb to the pinnacle of the sport. And he was hot as ever as recently as last year, when he knocked out Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant to become undisputed 168-pound champion.
Then came a dose of reality that demonstrated Alvarez was human after all.
No one was surprised that he made the decision to challenge the talented Bivol, a light heavyweight titleholder. Alvarez had already beaten an elite 175-pounder, Sergey Kovalev. And, obviously, a fighter in his prime who had floated the idea of fighting Oleksandr Usyk had begun to think he was invincible.
Bivol proved otherwise, outboxing Alvarez to win a unanimous decision that was more one-sided than the official scores (115-113 on all three cards) indicated.
Canelo Alvarez (pink trunks) and Dimitry Bivol (black trunks) box during their light heavyweight championship bout at T-Mobile Arena (Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports)
To be sure, Alvarez was humbled. And there was fallout. He tumbled down all credible pound-for-pound lists and lost at least a degree of respect from those who had come to revere him as the best of his generation.
So what if he loses again on Saturday?
We might have to look at him differently. This wouldn’t be an older fighter losing fights to all-time greats, like Manny Pacquiao against Juan Manuel Marquez and Mayweather. Alvarez is supposed to be near the peak of his abilities. And he will have lost to a good, but unheralded 175-pounder and his faded rival.
Imagine Alvarez off the pound-for-pound lists entirely. That’s what we could be looking at if Triple-G pulls off a miracle.
Again, that probably won’t happen. Alvarez has every advantage going into the fight, which could result in the beatdown of Golvokin many expect to see.
You never know, though. Crazy things happen in boxing all the time.
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Canelo and GGG came face-to-face one final time ahead of their highly-anticipated trilogy bout.
The highly anticipated trilogy bout between [autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag] and “GGG” [autotag]Gennadiy Golovkin[/autotag] is one day away. Friday, the competitors squared off in Las Vegas. Check out the best photos from the weigh-ins and faceoff below (via AP Images, Getty Images).
A true legend of the game, Shula has the most victories ever, winning an NFL-record 347 games, including playoff games and two Super Bowl victories. He guided the Dolphins to the league’s only undefeated season (17-0) in 1972. (RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports)
Knox racked up many wins during his stints with the Los Angeles Rams (twice), Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills but never made it a Super Bowl. (Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports)
Smith’s book, “The Jordan Rules”
1990: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls runs with the ball during the game. Mandatory Credit: Tim DeFrisco /Allsport
Belichick before Belichick. Noll led the mighty Steelers to four Super Bowl victories, in all four of Pittsburgh’s appearances, during his tenure from 1969-1991.(USA Today)
Shanahan finally changed the Broncos’ Super Bowl woes (four losses from 1977-1989), coaching the team to back-to-back championships in 1997 and ’98. Having John Elway, of course, certainly helped. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Here’s a primer for the third fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin, which finally goes down Saturday in Las Vegas.
The third fight between [autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag] and [autotag]Gennadiy Golovkin[/autotag] is just days away.
The future Hall of Famers fought to a disputed draw at middleweight in 2017, and Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs) won a majority decision at the same weight the following year. They’ll finally meet a third time on pay-per-view this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, this time at super middleweight.
The biggest difference between the first two meetings – aside from the weight – is the perception that the 40-year-old Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) is in decline, which leads many to believe this could be a one-sided fight in Alvarez’s favor.
At the same time, the star power of both men will undoubtedly fill the arena and attract millions of viewers worldwide.
Below are five questions – and answers – going into the trilogy.
Canelo and GGG will complete their memorable fight trilogy in September.
LOS ANGELES (AP) – [autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag] and [autotag]Gennady Golovkin[/autotag] will complete their memorable fight trilogy in September.
Alvarez and Golovkin will resume their rivalry Sept. 17 after a four-year break, promoters Matchroom Boxing announced Tuesday. Alvarez already said he intended to take the fight while speaking at his invitational golf tournament in Naucalpan, Mexico, on Monday.
The third fight will be a 168-pound super middleweight contest between the 40-year-old Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) and Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs), who will turn 32 this summer. Alvarez is the undisputed world champion at 168 pounds, holding all four major titles.
“I feel very happy and proud to be able to give the best fights, and this fight won’t be an exception,” Alvarez said in a statement.
Alvarez announced earlier this year that he intended to fight Golovkin in the fall after taking on light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol in May. That plan was put into question after Bivol upset Alvarez by unanimous decision on May 7.
Bivol hoped to book a rematch with the biggest star in boxing after his breakthrough upset, but Alvarez ultimately decided to proceed with the most lucrative potential bout and the resumption of a remarkable rivalry.
The location for the third fight wasn’t announced, but its scheduling on Mexican Independence Day weekend makes it likely to be held in Las Vegas. The fighters’ first two meetings were on the same holiday weekend at T-Mobile Arena on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, and both were sellouts.
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The third bout is likely the richest fight currently possible in boxing, given both fighters’ large fan bases and the entertaining nature of their rivalry to date. Golovkin and his fans believe the former middleweight kingpin won both of the first two fights, while Alvarez is in need of redemption after his shocking loss to Bivol.
In the fighters’ first bout, most ringside observers thought Golovkin had done more than enough to beat Alvarez, who had previously lost only to Floyd Mayweather in his career. But while one judge favored Golovkin and another scored it a draw, judge Adalaide Byrd inexplicably called it 118–110 in favor of Alvarez, who was consistently outlanded by Golovkin throughout the bout.
Alvarez tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug clenbuterol between the first two fights, and his suspension meant the rematch was postponed from May to September. While many ringside observers again thought Golovkin had won, two judges favored the improved Alvarez 115-113, and the third scored it a draw.
Both fighters initially expressed interest in a third meeting for 2019, but the sides drifted apart while Golovkin dealt with management squabbles and Alvarez moved on to less daunting challenges. Alvarez spent 2021 collecting all four major titles at super middleweight.
Golovkin has fought only four times in four years since his loss to Alvarez, also breaking up with longtime trainer Abel Sanchez during that stretch. After he reclaimed two of his middleweight belts before the pandemic, Golovkin ended a 16-month ring absence in April by stopping Ryota Murata in Japan.
Matchroom signed Alvarez with strong plans for a third fight with Golovkin in September — and the Mexican superstar is in need of a bounce-back fight after he struggled mightily in his second career bout at light heavyweight. Bivol won 115-113 on all three scorecards in a fight that probably wasn’t that close.
“The Canelo vs. GGG trilogy is the biggest fight in boxing, and I am delighted to get this made for September 17,” Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn said. “These are two men that bitterly dislike each other and want to end this incredible series with a blistering KO. I truly believe this will be the most thrilling fight between these two great champions and it will be fireworks from the first bell to the last man standing.”
Kamaru Usman may not have Canelo Alvarez on board just yet, but at least he got him to respond.
[autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] may not have [autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag] on board just yet, but at least he got him to respond.
UFC welterweight champion Usman has been eager to lace up the boxing gloves against fellow pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter Alvarez, but can’t seem to get enough steam behind his idea.
For one, he’ll have to get the approval of UFC president Dana White, who has been heavily dismissive of the idea. Alvarez appeared more willing, but insists he’s focused on his legacy first.
The reigning IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO and The Ring super-middleweight champion will challenge Dmitry Bivol for his light heavyweight title on May 7 on DAZN pay-per-view. Usman is expected to rematch Leon Edwards next in July, quite possibly at the UFC’s newly announced return to London.
Check out Alvarez and Usman’s back-and-forth, which was sparked by Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz.
Canelo Alvarez doesn’t see himself boxing UFC champion Kamaru Usman anytime soon – if at all.
[autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag] doesn’t see himself boxing UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] anytime soon – if at all.
Although he didn’t completely rule out the idea, the reigning IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO and The Ring super-middleweight champion isn’t as keen on the idea as Usman is.
Canelo, however, said it can wait – if it happened at all.
“Never say no, but right now it’s not in my future,” Alvarez told TMZ. “Not right now. Yeah, it’s all about legacy right now, but you never know.”
Usman, who is currently healing from a hand injury, is projected to rematch Leon Edwards in July. Meanwhile, Alvarez will challenge Dmitry Bivol for his light heavyweight title on May 7 on DAZN pay-per-view.
Another fighter eager to crossover to boxing is UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who was in attendance for Tyson Fury’s knockout win over Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Fury delivered a highlight-reel knockout of White in Round 6 and before leaving the ring, he was already promoting a a hybrid bout with Ngannou.
But both Usman and Ngannou would need White’s support while still under UFC contract if they were to box, just like Conor McGregor did when he fell short against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
Kamaru Usman’s manager believes the UFC welterweight champ can beat “any man alive,” including Canelo Alvarez at his own game.
MIAMI, Fla. – Ali Abdelaziz has made a bold prediction for a potential boxing match between [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] and [autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag].
Abdelaziz, the Dominance MMA chief who manages Usman and an array of other high-proifle fighters, is pushing for the UFC welterweight champion to get his desired boxing match against Alvarez. Despite UFC president Dana White not being on board with the idea just yet, Abdelaziz said he really likes Usman’s chances against Alvarez.
“Kamaru will knock him out in three rounds,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “You cannot say no to Kamaru. He’s a guy who comes from Africa. He jumped a lot of obstacles. I believe in Kamaru. This is the difference between me and other people. I believe in him, I live with him, I breathe with him, I die with him, I fight with him. He’s a special person in my life.
“How many street fights have me and Kamaru been to? We’ve been in a lot of street fights, and I have to believe in him. I believe Kamaru can beat any man alive.”
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Abdelaziz said that Usman, who’s No. 1 in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings and No. 2 on the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie list, didn’t just want to test himself against any boxer. He wanted to go straight for the best. Abdelaziz also took a jab at boxers for their unwillingness to cross over into MMA.
“I know (Usman) didn’t want to fight Jake Paul; he didn’t want to fight Logan Paul,” Abdelaziz said. “He said I’m the pound-for-pound king in MMA, I want to fight the pound-for-pound coward in boxing because I think all these boxers are cowards because none of them want to come to MMA.
“They all want to come to boxing, but at the end of the day, in a street fight, who’s the baddest man on the planet? They cannot quote Canelo as the baddest man on the planet. They cannot quote Canelo the pound-for-pound best boxer because if they both in the street, who’s gonna win? Kamaru would beat his ass like he stole something.”
Usman, 34, is on a 19-fight overall winning streak and hasn’t lost since his second professional bout in May 2013. He’s successfully defended his UFC welterweight title five times with two wins each over Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, and a victory over Gilbert Burns.
