After 36 intense, bitter and controversial rounds in the last five years, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez finally achieved a convincing exhibition against Gennady Golovkin.
Álvarez prevailed on Saturday by unanimous decision to settle the last episode of an attractive trilogy of lawsuits with an unmitigated victory.
Four years after the most recent fight between the two fighters ended in a tight and even controversial victory for Álvarez (58-2-2, with 39 knockouts), the Mexican, world champion in four divisions, left little doubt about the latter. verdict.
“He’s a strong fighter,” Álvarez said of his rival, in front of the cheering and overwhelmingly supportive crowd in Las Vegas. “I’m glad I shared the ring with him. He is a very good fighter, and I am glad that I participated in these types of fights.”
At 32 years old and despite a hand injury that, according to himself, could require surgery, “Canelo” dealt a harsh punishment to Golovkin, 40, in the first eight rounds. He tried the famous “Triple G” chin resistance with nice combinations and overhand forehands.
Golovkin (42-2-1) started very slowly, without a clear strategy to take the initiative and far from Álvarez. The Kazakh, who fought for the first time at 168 pounds after a brilliant career as a middleweight, still had a few moments when he was able to show his old dynamism.
It was in the last rounds, against an opponent who had gotten a little tired.
However, this was not enough to tip the balance of the fight against a younger opponent who looked more comfortable as a super middleweight.
The three judges gave surprisingly close rulings, but all in favor of Álvarez: 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113. The Associated Press recorded a 117-111 card for the Mexican.
“Everyone knows this is a high level, the best fight in boxing,” Golovkin said. “Look at his face and look at mine. It is of a high level, because we trained well and this shows that we put on a very good fight, of very high quality”.
The opponents hugged and praised each other after the final bell. Perhaps it was the omen of a better relationship, after the harsh comments that were thrown during the three fights.
With a clear victory to put an end to one of the most heated rivalries in recent boxing history, “Canelo” splendidly recovered from the second loss in his career, suffered in May against Dmitry Bivol, an adversary from the division of the light heavyweights that unquestionably dominated the boxer from Guadalajara.
