Canelo Alvarez Defeats Gennady Golovkin In Boxing’s Biggest Grudge Match
Who you got for the inevitable third fight?
Saturday, in a tight match before a crowd of nearly 22,000 at the T-Mobile Arena, Gennady Golovkin narrowly defeated Canelo Alvarez.
Losing was perhaps especially painful for Golovkin—it was his first loss ever defending his long-running status as the middle weight titleholder. This could be strong motivation for a third match.
The judges’ final scores showed just what a slim victory it truly was: two called it a victory for Alvarez, 115-113, but the third put it down as a tie, 114-114.
The 12th round was where the rubber met the road and the judges gave it to Alvarez. So, after the match, the winner said he’d achieved victory “with facts.”
Speaking in his native Spanish, Alvarez continued, “He was the one who was backing up. I feel satisfied because I gave a great fight. It was a clear victory.”
Huge right hand by Gennady Golovkin in round 10, stunned Canelo Alvarez momentarily #CaneloGGG2 pic.twitter.com/5MCPvC9aI6
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) September 16, 2018
Golovkin has successfully defended his title for eight years, so it’s likely the loss wasn’t just physically painful. He immediately left the ring without comment after hearing the judges’ decision, ostensibly to get stitches over his right eye. Later, he said, “I’m not going to say who won tonight, because the victory belongs to Canelo—according to the judges.”
“I thought it was a very good fight for the fans, and very exciting,” Golovkin said, “I thought I fought better than he did.”
Compubox tweeted some of the key stats.
Final Punch Stats for #GGGCanelo2: Canelo had a 143-116 edge in power shots and landed a higher percentage. GGG landed 70 power shots in rounds 6-12 after landing just 46 in the first 6 rounds. pic.twitter.com/lgCsTTd8N1
— CompuBox (@CompuBox) September 16, 2018
Twitter commentary was all over the place, from enthused celebs who just enjoyed watching to enraged fans calling foul.
One of the best fights I’ve ever seen!! Ultimate competitors in @Canelo @GGGBoxing!! Salute to the both of you. Could watch y’all fight any day. 🙏🏾#KingTalk👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 16, 2018
Found out about Canelo when he was 23 years old fighting Floyd Mayweather, it was amazing to watch him battle it out with legend GGG. Big congrats on the win Saul @Canelo
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) September 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/TerryStone/status/1041260225674797058https://twitter.com/GigginsHarry/status/1041282028132605952
I favour neither boxer but after watching the fight, how either the white & pink judge can give a round (never mind 2 rounds) to Canelo between round 9-12 is shocking.
Canelo edges it in the first 6 but GGG was the better fighter by 4-5 rounds in the 2nd half. #DodgyJudgesAgain pic.twitter.com/AQoyyY8SEa— Mike Crisp (@mike82chips) September 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/imran484_khan/status/1041281815011569665https://twitter.com/alfie887/status/1041281771189530624
Rewatched the fight and scored it Rnd by Rnd:
GGG 117 – 111 CANELO
Seems a bit wide at first glance but that's what I saw. Could definitely see 116-112 or 115-113 but Canelo didn't win that fight. GGG beat the shit out of him those last 4 rounds.
— David Martinez (@DMARTINEZ_85) September 16, 2018
In the minds of most fans, there’s probably one pressing question: when will there be a third fight?
Alvarez said, “If the people want another round, I’ll do it again.”
Golovkin was less direct. “Under the right conditions, yes.”
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