What is it?
Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin vs Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. A rematch between two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in world boxing sees Mexico's 'Canelo' face off against Kazakhstan's GGG in what is expected to be one of the fights of the year .
When is it?
Saturday, September 15, 2018 - ie tomorrow. But Sunday morning UK time.
Where is it?
The same venue as their last encounter: the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What TV channel will it be on?
The fight will be the first event to be shown on BT Sport's new pay-per-view offering, BT Sport Box Office.
Canelo v GGG 2 will cost £16.95.
Existing BT Sport and BT TV customers can pay using their remote control, Sky customers without a BT Sport subscription can register and pay online at www.bt.com/sportboxoffice and will then be able to use their remote to subscribe to subsequent events.
Knowing boxing's recent history, it's almost inconceivable to consider the sport hasn't held a major pay-per-view in the United States since the first Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin middleweight title bout last September.
Yet during a calendar year that has produced both the launch and development of various streaming services which have altered the broadcasting landscape, a fight as big as Saturday's rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (HBO PPV, 8 p.m. ET) demanded the largest platform possible.
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Thanks to a controversial split draw in their first meeting and a pair of failed drug tests from Alvarez, which postponed the original May rematch after the Mexican star was suspended, tensions remain high entering the second helping of a PPV fight that actually succeeded in delivering the kind of action that was promised.
Tale of the tape
Fighter Saul Alvarez Gennady Golovkin Nickname Canelo GGG Record 49-1-2 (34 KOs) 38-0-1 (34 KOs) Titles Lineal middleweight WBA, WBC middleweight Age 28 36 Height 5-foot-9 5-foot-10 1/2 Reach 70.5 inches 70 inches Stance Orthodox Orthodox Hometown Guadalajara, Mexico Karaganda, Kazakhstan Best wins Miguel Cotto (UD12, 2015), Erislandy Lara (SD12, 2014), Austin Trout (UD12, 2013) Daniel Jacobs (UD12, 2017), Kell Brook (TKO5, 2016), Martin Murray (TKO11, 2015) Notable losses Floyd Mayweather (MD, 2013) N/A Odds +125 -155
What's at stake?
Golovkin's decision to keep his May 5 date following Alvarez's withdrawal ultimately cost him his IBF title at 160 pounds after the sanctioning body didn't recognize Vanes Martirosyan as a credible opponent and later stripped GGG for not facing mandatory opponent Sergiy Dereveyanchenko in a timely manner. Still, Golovkin will bring his WBC and WBA titles against Alvarez's lineal crown.
In addition, this pairing between top five pound-for-pound boxers offers the winner, should he do so decisively, an opportunity to claim he's the best in the world. The stakes only go deeper from a personal standpoint for each fighter as Golovkin, given a rare second chance after the controversial scorecards robbed him of a victory, enters the defining bout of his 12-year pro career. Not only would Golovkin break Bernard Hopkins' division record with his 21st title defense if he wins, he would finally secure a victory over an A-level opponent in his prime.
For Alvarez, this is more about his reputation. Considering his overt heel turn over the past year after testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol, blaming it on tainted beef and then initially refusing to undergo random drug testing in the aftermath, there's an argument to be made that Alvarez has nothing to lose or prove considering he's already the biggest PPV star and a betting underdog. But to those who believe he has previously used performance-enhancing drugs, Alvarez has to chance to quiet the narrative with a clear (and clean) win.
Who has the edge?
1. Power: While Alvarez landed the cleaner power shots in the first meeting, Golovkin appeared unfazed thanks to his iron chin and recently compared his opponent's punching power to "slaps." GGG, on the other hand, remains one of the most devastating finishers in the sport with both hands, as evidenced by his two-round dismantling of Martirosyan in May. Edge: Golovkin
2. Speed: As the smaller fighter who moved up from 154 pounds before their first fight, Alvarez proved in September just how wide the gap in hand speed was. He also showed tremendous agility to avoid Golovkin's big right hand for most of the fight by swiveling and sidestepping. GGG is one year older at 36 and has proven himself more plodding with age. Edge: Alvarez
3. Technique: There's no question that both can box at a very elite level and that Golovkin, an Olympic silver medalist for Kazakhstan, wouldn't quite be the destroyer he is without utilizing his amateur pedigree to patiently set up his shots. But if there's one thing Alvarez has done in each of his biggest fights it has been a subtle and steady improvement of his overall game. As a pinpoint counter puncher who goes to the body well and has developed a strong uppercut, Alvarez is operating at the very peak of his powers as a boxer. Edge: Alvarez
4. Defense: In order to become such a voluminous aggressor, Golovkin has needed to sacrifice some of his defense at times to establish himself as the bigger puncher. Even though he tends to get hit a fair amount, however, that doesn't make him an irresponsible defender as GGG is almost never off balance or caught out of position. But as a counter puncher and a small middleweight, Alvarez is forced to rely more on his defense and has become adept at avoiding punches without needing to move his feet. Edge: Alvarez
5. Intangibles: Ahead of their first fight, this category went to Alvarez largely for his reputation of getting the benefit the doubt on the scorecards throughout his career. While that certainly didn't change last September, the public backlash and criticism aimed at both Alvarez and the Nevada commission means we aren't as likely to see that come into play again. In that case, outside of Alvarez's advantage in terms of youth, the key intangible comes down to mindset. Not only is Golovkin the bigger puncher of the two, he has appeared much angrier in recent months than most have ever seen him. Given the scoring in the first fight and GGG's outspoken belief that Alvarez is a dirty fighter, there's reason to believe GGG will try his best to leave no doubt and finish the fight early. That's a dangerous thought. Edge: Golovkin
Prediction
If there's one thing we learned from their exciting first meeting, it's that both fighters have room to improve the second time around. Golovkin showed too much respect for Alvarez's counter fire and played it safe even when he had his opponent cornered. Alvarez, meanwhile, gassed out in the middle rounds and didn't throw enough punches overall to support his claim that he had done enough to win.
Despite his constant talk of wanting the knockout, Alvarez has looked leaner this week in comparison to last year, which has helped further fuel PED conspirators but also suggests he is intending to box and be elusive. In theory, that remains his best shot at going the distance and securing a deserved win on the scorecards. Not only should Alvarez avoid getting into a toe-to-toe duel with Golovkin at all costs, the more active he is with his jab might lower Golovkin's output and create more opportunities for Alvarez to counter.
One negative for Golovkin is that in his two biggest fights to date, he failed to show much variety in his attack or an ability to make key adjustments to halt his opponent's success. Against Danny Jacobs in 2017, it never cost GGG as he rode an early knockdown and relied on his jab and pressure style late to win a close decision. Against Alvarez, of course, it ultimately did.
What Golovkin needs to remember is that he took Alvarez's best shots cleanly late in the fight and barely broke stride in coming forward. GGG will not only need to channel and fuel his disdain for Alvarez into a more aggressive nature, he will need to take chances and face vulnerability in order to force Alvarez into the kind of skirmishes that can end the fight.
Varying how he sets up his right hands will be key for GGG the second time around as Alvarez was routinely able to see the big punches coming and adjust. While Golovkin's jab and his incredible ability to cut off the ring will still be key, it's imperative this time around that he make Alvarez pay for lingering too long in the corners or against the ropes.
Alvarez certainly possesses enough skill to go the distance and put himself in position to contend for the judges' nod. But the same equation he faced in the first fight rings true again entering the rematch. As long as Golovkin didn't get old over night, if you're offering me a chance to pick the fighter who is bigger, stronger, busier and more desperate to secure the kind of victory his career has lacked, choosing Golovkin makes too much sense. Sprinkle in some spite and you may have yourself a clean finish.
Pick: Golovkin via eighth-round TKO.
The Bloody Elbow staff has submitted its predictions for the Canelo Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) vs. Gennady Golovkin (38-0-1, 34 KOs) rematch, and just like last year, the majority of the staff is going with the Mexican superstar to beat the Kazakh knockout artist. No one is predicting a KO for either fighter, which isn’t surprising given the chins on these guys.
Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez
Mookie Alexander: It’s a story of adjustments first and foremost, and a story of whether or not Golovkin will look “old” in there. Sometimes it doesn’t happen gradually in sports. You just turn up one afternoon and perform to your age. Canelo is 28 and Golovkin is 36, and that matters. As for adjustments, Golovkin has felt Canelo’s power and perhaps that should embolden him to be more aggressive when he has Canelo backed up against the ropes, particularly to the body. He may still be concerned about eating countershots because Canelo is the faster fighter, but he has to find a way to wear Alvarez out sooner, because Canelo did find a second wind in the later rounds of their first fight.
Conversely, can Canelo’s footwork befuddle GGG and cause him to be more inaccurate when trying to pressure him? He might have the advantage as a precise counterpuncher, which can make up for the gap in overall power. That said, I believe Golovkin is a better strategist than given credit for, he’ll change things up and go to the body more often while working off his jab, and we may even see a knockdown. I don’t see a KO from either man as GGG has an iron chin and Canelo hasn’t been rocked since 2010, but I can very much see Golovkin getting a knockdown with one of those weird looping left hooks to the top of Canelo’s head. I’m hoping we get a real classic and no controversies this time around. Gennady Golovkin by unanimous decision.
Tim Burke: The consensus is that Triple G won the first fight. However, that “win” has seemed to grow in size over the last year - it’s almost like Canelo wasn’t competitive, and it wasn’t the very close fight that I had Golovkin edging out seven rounds to five. In the meantime, Golovkin is another year older (he’s 36 now), and the tune-up against Martirosyan was a payday, not a real fight. I have been a massive Canelo fan for many years now, and I actually think he can win a strong decision this time. He’ll change his strategy a bit, fight a bit more technical, and not try to answer right away when Golovkin lands a hard shot. Canelo Alvarez, 116-112 decision.
Connor Ruebusch: Rematches are all all about adjustments, but in this case, it’s not easy to see what those adjustments will be. The first time around, Canelo got off to a great start, which kept Golovkin from really cranking up the pressure until about the 4th or 5th round, but also forced him to take quite a few of the middle rounds off. Golovkin had the volume, Canelo had the memorable blows, and neither man was particularly easy to hit. When I really think about it, though, Alvarez could have taken a few of the closer middle rounds last time if only he had stayed on his jab, constantly giving the aggressive GGG something to run into. Alvarez is already the sharper thinker of the two, at least in the ring, and I have just a little more faith in his ability to adjust between fights than I do Golovkin’s. Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision.
Staff picking GGG: Nick, Mookie
Staff picking Canelo: Stephie, Ram, Tim, Connor, Phil
Jaime Munguia vs. Brandon Cook
Mookie Alexander: Cook is a good fighter and a nice showcase opponent for Munguia, who may have a title fight, but is absolutely nowhere near the level of Jermell Charlo or Jarrett Hurd. He’s 21 years old and needs a lot of seasoning, especially defensively, before he’s ready for top-flight junior middleweights. As it stands, Munguia’s offensive firepower is absolutely lethal, especially with his commitment to body shots. Cook was pieced up by Kanat Islam in his lone loss, showing great toughness despite being overmatched. I suspect this is what will happen on Saturday. Jaime Munguia by KO, round 4.
Staff picking Munguia: Mookie, Stephie, Ram, Tim, Connor
Staff picking Cook:
David Lemieux vs. Spike O’Sullivan
Mookie Alexander: This should be fun. I’m sure the winner wants a title fight, and I’ll unequivocally say that neither one of them stands a chance against Canelo, GGG (whom Lemieux soundly lost to), or the winner of Daniel Jacobs-Sergey Derevyanchenko, or the winner of Billy Joe Saunders-Demetrius Andrade (Saunders schooled both Lemieux and O’Sullivan). As for this fight, I’d have picked Lemieux without hesitation a few years ago. The problem with Lemieux is that while he’s powerful, his footwork is bad and he’s prone to absolutely puzzling performances even in victory. He’s not quite a glass cannon, but I don’t think he’s gotten that much better from his upset loss to Marco Antonio Rubio many years back. O’Sullivan is a come forward, high-volume puncher who can very easily make Lemieux uncomfortable and tire him out. That said, O’Sullivan doesn’t hit as hard as Lemieux does, and his aggressiveness can be turned against him in the form of Lemieux planting him with a left hand a la the Curtis Stevens fight. On paper, Lemieux should win this, and I’m picking him to discourage Spike with his power… I’m just not very comfortable that he gets it done. David Lemieux by TKO, round 9.
Tim Burke: If you’re just a casual boxing fan, you need to watch a David Lemieux fight. Does he always win? No. Can he have off nights? Sure. But there are few guys in boxing that bring ferocity like he does. I am biased because I’m Canadian and he’s one of my favorite fighters, but I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed by this bout. David Lemieux via TKO, round 7
Connor Ruebusch: What is there to say about this one? O’Sullivan is a fun, aggressive fighter who never achieved the same success as Lemieux. Lemieux, for his part, has looked preeeetty rough, lately, though some of that has to do with fighting superior competition. I give O’Sullivan a decent chance, here, because Lemieux has struggled at times with just the barest hints of boxing skill. But there are still the #levels to consider, and I don’t see O’Sullivan avoiding that Lemieux left hook all night. David Lemieux by TKO, round 10.
Staff picking Lemieux: Mookie, Stephie, Ram, Tim, Connor
Staff picking O’Sullivan:
Roman Gonzalez vs. Moises Fuentes
Mookie Alexander: Fuentes was also a very good fighter in his prime -- not Chocolatito levels of good mind you, but a quality world champion nevertheless -- it’s just that he’s undersized against Gonzalez and also on a much steeper decline. If Chocolatito can’t dominate against Fuentes, then that’s worrisome. I just want to see the combination punches flowing again and the confidence back in his game after the Sor Rungvisai losses. Fuentes is a couple of fights removed from losing to a glorified journeyman in Ulises Lara, who is 20-16-2. I understand the potential for sadness, but I don’t think Chocolatito is that washed. Roman Gonzalez by TKO, round 7.
Staff picking Chocolatito: Mookie, Stephie, Ram, Tim, Connor
Staff picking Fuentes:
We’re just one day away from the highly anticipated WBA/WBC middleweight championship rematch between Gennady Golovkin (38-0-1, 34 KOs) and Canelo Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs). Last year, the two boxing standouts duked it out for the full twelve rounds, and in the end, the scorecards read 115-113 GGG, 118-110 Canelo, and 114-114 for a split draw. Adelaide Byrd will not be part of judging this fight, so you can forget about a 118-110 Canelo score this time around (hopefully).
There were many cries of robbery, and others who believed that while a 118-110 card was absurd, Canelo had a legitimate case for winning the fight. Then you had another section of fans agreeing with a draw. Want to see their first showdown and score it again? Well here’s your chance.
Watch the full video below:
Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez is set for Saturday, September 15th on HBO PPV at a special start time of 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
