Canelo Alvarez Defeats Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin by Unanimous Decision with No Debate
Canelo Alvarez Defeats Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin by Unanimous Decision with No Debate
FightersTalkTV.com – After the controversial scorecards overshadowed their first two meetings, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez finally proved he was the better fighter than his long-term rival Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin in the third fight on Saturday night in Las Vegas. With the unanimous decision, Alvarez wins over Golovkin with no debate and remains the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world.
Back to their two previous fights, Canelo started out strong in the first six rounds, fell apart and was outboxed and out-punched by GGG from rounds seven through twelve. Instead of a win for Golovkin, Canelo was given a draw decision at the first meeting. So it is with the second, the judges gave it to Canelo by a 12-round majority decision, while the fans thought the fight appeared to be either a draw or a win by Golovkin.
Although the scorecards may have reflected a closer fight than actually took place, Alvarez showed he is better than Golovkin in their trilogy. Canelo dominated the fight with defence and a strong combination of wide overhand rights, jabs and left hooks. He makes Golovkin spend the first eight rounds working behind a largely ineffective jab, seemingly digging himself a deep hole on the scorecards.
Canelo Alvarez-Gennadiy Golovkin 3 result: Canelo Alvarez beats GGG by unanimous decision
Canelo Alvarez lands a punch against Gennadiy Golovkin in round five of the fight for the Super Middleweight Title at T-Mobile Arena on Sept. 17, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Things didn’t get much better for Golovkin as the rounds ticked by. Alvarez would land jabs and hooks while Golovkin would chase and miss with the majority of his punches.
It was somewhat shocking that Alvarez failed to work with the body with any regularity. Golovkin, 40, had shown a vulnerability to body shots in his recent fights and Alvarez has one of the best-left hands to the body in the sport. Still, Alvarez did not need to key in on Golovkin’s ribs as his very basic strategy had worked well.
While Alvarez had promised a knockout, he never needed to shift to a higher gear to shoot for the finish, instead working over Golovkin with simple and crisp boxing. The judges unanimously awarded Alvarez the victory on points scoring it 116-112, 115-113, 115-113
Gennady Golovkin Uncertain What He Needs To Change To Beat Canelo
“He’s a really good fighter,” Alvarez said after the fight. “He’s strong. He’s a great fighter and that’s why we’re here. I’m glad to share the ring with him. I’m going to keep forward to keep my legacy strong.”
“With my hand problems I out-jabbed the best jabber in the world in Gennadiy Golovkin,” Alvarez said.
“I think towards the end of the fight I obviously started to get a bit fatigued and that’s because we’ve not been able to work explosively in the gym. But despite all the problems that we’ve had, I was really happy with my performance tonight,” he added.
“I wanted to get that KO but it didn’t come because he’s a great fighter. That’s why there are 12 rounds in a fight. So you can show and display who’s the best. So I’m really happy with what I’ve done tonight.”
For Alvarez, the focus now switches to avenging his surprise defeat to Russian Dmitry Bivol last November, after he undergoes surgery on an injured left hand.
“It’s very important for me, for my legacy, for my country, for everybody,” Alvarez admitted about the prospect of fighting Bivol again.
“I’ve gone through some very difficult things in my life, I’ve actually shown that defeats are great because they enable you to come back and show humility.
“I’m going to keep going to keep my legacy going.”
Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin
Canelo and Golovkin shook hands after their third meeting. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom)
The loss was only the second of Golovkin’s career. He still holds the IBF and WBA middleweight titles and said after the fight that he would return to 160 pounds for his next, brushing off any suggestion he would retire after the trilogy fight with Alvarez.
“Everybody knows, this is high-level class. This is the best fighter in boxing. Everyone knows who is Canelo. It’s a huge fight. Look at his face, look at my face. We trained well, and this shows that we did a very good-quality fight.
“This fight is more tactical. Today, Canelo is better. Congrats to Canelo.”
Despite speculation that a second loss to Alvarez could result in him walking away from the sport, Golovkin vowed to carry on, telling his legion of fans that he is “still a champion”.
“Absolutely,” the Kazakh said when asked whether he would continue. “I still have this fire burning within me. I have the passion for boxing. Don’t forget I have three belts at 160lbs. I feel great.
“I did not allow any serious shots. I’m tired, I’m fresh. I feel the strength and power within me. Of course, if opportunity presents I will be looking to return in the ring.”
Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin
Golovkin failed to truly trouble Canelo in their trilogy fight. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
He added: “Congrats to Canelo, congrats to all boxing fans. Remember guys, I have three belts at 160. I can come back guys. I’m still a champion.”
Interesting to know who is the next for GGG, reminds Chris Eubank Jr. is one of the best in 160lb. Moreover, Eubank Jr. is already called GGG out on his social media right after the fight.
