Another chapter in what has become one of the most legendary rivalries in boxing history will be written on September 17. Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin fight for the the third and potentially final time with Canelo’s undisputed super-middleweight titles on the line.
Canelo and Golovkin first fought in 2017, with the bout ending in a controversial split decision draw. Adalaide Byrd gave Canelo the win in what was described as an indefensible offense, considering how wide of a lead she gave Canelo. They competed in a rematch in 2018, with Canelo winning via majority decision. That result was also considered controversial according to fans and media members alike.
For Golovkin, he is hoping the third time is the charm. While he is not openly skeptical about the judges entering the trilogy fight, the second fight still leaves a sour taste.
“I’ll be honest with you, I moved on the next day,” Golovkin recently told the New York Post. “I haven’t thought about it much. I realized that those people who gave those scores, they were used. They were used like disposable tissues are being used. It was time to use them, they were used and disposed off.”
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Four years have passed since they last squared off and the controversy still resoundingly rings. What really happened in those first two fights? And if they were rescored today, would the same results hold true?
The Sporting News looks back at how the bouts were scored while providing unofficial scores following recent viewings of the fights.
Who won Canelo vs. GGG 1?
Official judge card (draw):
- Adalaide Byrd: 118-110 (Canelo)
- Dave Moretti: 115-113 (Golovkin)
- Don Trella: 114-114
SN’s round-by-round unofficial scorecards
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
11 |
12 | Total |
| Canelo | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 112 |
| Golovkin | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 116 |
The first fight was a classic tale of two halves.
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Canelo started as hot as one could be. However, once it got to the ropes, Golovkin used his jab and pressure to outwork Canelo. He would land multiple hooks to the body of Canelo, while Canelo was reaching and attempting to land the right shot.
In the middle rounds, things kicked up a notch. Canelo landed hooks and uppercuts. Golovkin’s shots were sharper. Golovkin was stalking Canelo in the later rounds, but Canelo managed to fight back towards the ninth and tenth rounds. He was able to adapt by the ropes. By the end of the fight, both competitors landed combinations, with body shots being key for Canelo.
In the end, Golovkin’s impressive power and agility resulted in a 116-112 on SN’s unofficial scorecard.
Who won Canelo vs. GGG 2?
Official judge card (Canelo by split decision):
- Glenn Feldman: 114-114
- Dave Moretti: 115-113 (Canelo)
- Steve Weisfeld: 115-113 (Canelo)
SN’s round-by-round unofficial scorecards
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
11 |
12 | Total |
| Canelo | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 112 |
| Golovkin | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 116 |
The second fight saw a much different Canelo maintaining his momentum after the first round. He was quicker than Golovkin was at this point, as pointed out multiple times by the commentators.
However, Golovkin picked up the pace in round four and landed uppercuts and combinations. Round five saw both fighters go toe-to-toe. Towards the middle of the fight, Canelo pressed forward despite getting repeatedly tagged by Golovkin’s shots. Canelo looked great in round eight, but Golovkin drew blood and damaged Canelo enough to give him the round.
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Throughout the rest of the contest, Canelo landed uppercuts and worked within the ropes, never wavering. Not one to be outdone Golovkin caught a second wind and performed almost as well as he did in the first fight. Big shots by Golokvin within the clinch were enough to win the final six rounds and earn yet another 116-112 advantage on SN’s unofficial card.
Two fights. Two wins by our count. Unfortunately for Golovkin, he left both empty handed.
Prediction and expert picks for Canelo vs. GGG 3
One could say that Canelo is in the prime of his career at 32. Golovkin, 40, might not have the same agility as he once did. If he can provide pressure within the ropes again, that old Golovkin magic can return.
Time away from the ring, even if it was a result of injuries, may help Golovkin. With a busy schedule leading up to this fight, will that end up coming to haunt Canelo? Did the Dmitry Bivol fight change him at all?
Ultimately, this will come down to who can provide the most damage. Golovkin outlanded Canelo in 75% of the rounds they competed in (452 to 371 combined), but only won on 40% of the scores submitted. A few years later, Canelo has become an offensive machine.
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If Canelo can stick to his plan from the second fight by not moving too much and going one-on-one with Golovkin, he might have the clear edge. Golovkin needs Canelo by the ropes, or he must find some speed. Though the Bivol fight took some wind out of his sails, Canelo remains an incredible force who appears unstoppable for long stretches.
The last thing either side wants is for their fate to once more rest in the hands of the judges.
Even at 40, Golovkin certainly has the chops to win and pull even at 1-1-1. But make no mistake, this is still Canelo’s fight to lose and he holds the upper hand.
This time it may not be so controversial.
SN prediction: Canelo via TKO (round eight)
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