The third fight between Mexican Saul Alvarez and Kazakh Gennady Golovkin took place in Las Vegas. And for the first time in the history of their confrontation, there were no complaints against the judges – Alvarez won by unanimous decision (116:112, 115:113, 115:113) and defended the title of absolute world champion at super middleweight. division.
Previously, the boxers met in the ring in 2017 and 2018 (all their fights took place in September in the same Las Vegas arena). The first game ended in a draw, the second game was won by Alvarez. But these two results, especially during the first meeting, caused many misunderstandings in relation to the judges’ decision. Now there was no such problem – Alvarez convincingly won the first two thirds of the fight, and Golovkin was better at the end. Perhaps we can agree with the calculation of 116:112.
But if now there were no questions to the judges, then they appeared to the boxers themselves. The combat came out boring and unspectacular. If at the end of 2022 they make a note, where there will be a “Disappointment of the Year” nomination, then this fight can be safely included in the list of candidates. But speaking of expectations…
Few doubted the outcome of this meeting. The main argument in favor of Canelo was the age of Golovkin – a 40-year-old Kazakh. And not much was expected from the legendary boxer from Kazakhstan, but Alvarez had to effectively “close” his second career defeat against Russian Dmitry Bivol in May this year. The Mexican actually managed to do it, but it was very far from the word “spectacular”. It’s unlikely that even his most dedicated fans were thrilled with Canelo’s performance. In general, everything turned out somehow casual and uninteresting.
Even after the end of the fight, the boxers did not show emotions, although their relationship could not be called friendly. As a result, they hugged, Canelo made part of the compliments to the opponent. And Golovkin only waited for the announcement of the judges’ scores. It seemed that at that moment even a Kazakh had no doubts about the final outcome. And in general, Gennady did not show the desire to win at all costs – he, like Alvarez, seemed to take care of himself.
Canelo, after the fight, immediately remembered Bivol and announced his desire for a rematch, adding the phrase: “I will beat him.” After seeing Alvarez in the last two fights, there are big doubts about the implementation of this plan. Golovkin, 40, said he was not going to end his career – the Kazakh recalled he was still the WBA and IBF middleweight champion.
“TODAY I DO NOT INCLUDE CANELO EVEN IN THE TOP 10 OF THE RANKING REGARDLESS OF WEIGHT CATEGORIES”
Immediately after the match, contacted the coach of Murat Gassiev and Fedor Chudinov Vitali Slanov with a request for analysis of the trilogy. A small spoiler: the specialist strongly criticized today’s Canelo and suggested Golovkin have a nice final fight. From this interview you can also learn about the future plans of Gassiev and Chudinov.
– The boxing level was lower than in the first two fights. Especially in relation to the second fight, – Slanov started a conversation with . – And now the fight was even – in the first half Alvarez was a little better, in the second – Golovkin. In addition, there was the nervous tension, and the level of performance… I have already said that during their first meetings it was higher.
“You said the fight is equal. It seemed that Canelo, without demonstrating anything supernatural, surpassed his opponent.
“It might seem so. And how much Golovkin worked with a jab, he gave powerful punches to the outline of the glove. I felt like the fight was even.
– Okay, we have to pay tribute to 40-year-old Golovkin.
– Sure. Everyone thought he would sit down at the end, but it turned out otherwise. Golovkin added, and Canelo lost something.
— The duel turned out to be unspectacular. And there are plenty of questions for Alvarez.
– Exactly. Alvarez gets worse with every fight. Canelo made his professional debut early, with over 60 fights under his belt. Maybe he’s already tired of boxing. Moreover, everything in his life is very good financially.
– Nevertheless, Alvarez is considered the number one, regardless of weight classes.
“Look at (Naoya) Inoue, (Terence) Crawford, (Errol) Spence. And right now, I wouldn’t even include Canelo in the top ten of the rankings, regardless of weight class. I’m talking about today.
Previously, Alvarez had big and spectacular fights, he won against very good opponents. And now Canelo is less and less interesting with each fight. And associating it with the first digit of all scales is completely wrong.
– What exits do you see for Alvarez? Take a break to miss boxing or keep making money?
Canelo was very good for ten years, but now, again, he is becoming less interesting. I wouldn’t advise going out for a rematch with Bivol with such boxing at all.
– Will everything go much worse in the second fight with Bivol?
– Yes of course. How will he adapt? Alvarez is small, not very fast, he has short arms… And with a boxer like Dmitry Bivol, who feels the distance very well, he has little chance.
– Let’s go back to the previous question about the Mexican’s future prospects.
– It’s his personal business to continue his career. But he has to change something. Or rest. He has already made history, he has done a lot for boxing.
We discussed Alvarez’s prospects. What can you say about Golovkin?
Golovkin is a great boxer. But I think he needs to arrange a nice final fight, for example, in the same Kazakhstan. You have to leave nicely. However, age takes its toll. As Muhammad Ali said, “I grew old in a day.”
“GASSIEV’S NEXT FIGHT IS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER”
– I would like to ask about the preparation of Fedor Chudinov for the September 24 fight with Farrukh Juraev from Uzbekistan.
– We were preparing for another opponent – for the Argentine (Walter Gabriel Sequeira, injured. – “”). But there have been changes, given this opponent.
– Fedor is in good shape, he is ready for the fight. Looking at the situation with Chudinov overall: if there is no promotion, serious fights… Earning money from average fights is unworthy for the former world champion. You either have to move on to the big fights or think about something else.
How would you characterize the upcoming fight? How is it possible to close the defeat in the last fight in April against Azizbek Abdugofurov from Uzbekistan?
– We have to close the defeat. Although I don’t think Chudinov then lost.
And then everything will depend on how the boxer is led. Fedor is a fighter, he is determined, but there is no certainty. And he is 35 years old, enduring such loads for average fights is unworthy.
– Tell us when to expect Murat Gassiev’s next fight?
– Murat is working very well, pah-pah, there are no health problems. Everything is going according to plan and we are focusing on November. We have been told, and we expect a serious opponent. Serious boxers are listed for us, negotiations are underway with top ten boxers. I know the names, but you understand that I cannot publish them. As a place, two options are considered in Russia and the southern countries.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
