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The hype surrounding the anticipated megafight between the world’s best middleweights – Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin – has set tongues wagging as to whether the boxers will give fans a bout to remember.
The possibility of the two fighters exchanging blows gained momentum after Mexican Álvarez knocked out Briton Amir Khan in the sixth round of the World Boxing Council (WBC) title defence at T-Mobile Arena, Nevada last Sunday.
As he knelt before a fallen Khan, dazed from a devastating punch, Álvarez motioned for the US-based Kazakh Golovkin – who was sitting ringside – to step in, saying: “I do not fear anyone. We do not come to play in this sport.”
Golovkin holds the International Boxing Organisation, World Boxing Association, WBC and International Boxing Federation diadems.
The man nicknamed “GGG” knocked out Dominic Wade in the second round to send him sprawling to the canvas for the third time in less than six minutes, and in so doing, pushed his own undefeated record to 35.
Now the WBC has ordered Álvarez to stake his mantle against Golovkin.
The fight has been pencilled in for September.
The meeting between the gladiators has elicited such a flurry of public interest that it has been likened to the famous world middleweight title match between Marvin “Marvellous” Hagler and Thomas “Tommy” Hearns that took place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1985.
So great was this scrap, dubbed “The War”, which saw Hagler win by a third-round technical knockout, that it features in great boxing title fight debates to this day.
A look at the two sluggers’ records tips the scales in favour of Golovkin. Besides being Álvarez’ senior by nine years, GGG is unbeaten in 35 fights, having registered 32 wins by way of a short distance.
This gives him a slight edge as he will also enjoy reach advantage.
But Álvarez, who is promoted by erstwhile WBC light middleweight champion and great showman Oscar De La Hoya, has seen more ring action than his rival (see graphic).
He has had 49 fights, winning 47 with one loss and a draw to his disadvantage. And at 25, Alvarez’ age is on his side.
The quality of the opponents that these pugilists beat to be where they are now will count immensely when it comes to ascertaining whether the megafight will enthral fans – and earn the same status as last year’s world welterweight showdown between Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao that took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
That exciting bout, won by Mayweather on a unanimous points decision, was dubbed “the fight of the century” and grossed a record $600 million (R9.2 billion).
