In a dramatic twist, the Mexican sensation, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (49-1-2) escapes with a Split Draw against Kazhakstan great Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (37-0-1) on Mexican Independence Day, September 16, 2017. Setting aside the talent and experience on both ends, Alvarez also had the advantages of fighting on the most important holiday of his home country, the great promise of money from the Mexican fanbase in the potential rematch, and judge Adelaide Byrd giving him the dubious scorecard of 118 to 110. The other two judges had more believable scorecards, albeit perhaps closer than the affair actually appeared. Dave Moretti scored the fight 115 to 113 for Golovkin, and Don Trella had it 114 to 114 even.
Both men, Middleweight greats, proved their mettle and intellect, for the most part fighting a calculated and measured bout. Canelo started strong, landing good shots to the body, making Golovkin wary of his power. However (and to many, surprisingly), it was Golovkin who appeared the more polished boxer of the two, being dedicated with his jab, landing 108 of them, nearly double that of Alvarez’s 55. As the fight wore on passed the middle rounds, Canelo become visibly gassed, and the power behind his punches waned to the point where Golovkin was able to simply walk him down and force him to back-pedal. Canelo was simply unable to deliver the knockout, or even victory, his countrymen badly wanted.
The Kazahk fighter won a stretch of five rounds, until Canelo made them more competitive again in the 11th and 12th, realizing he was likely falling behind on the scorecards. Though competitive, he was still unable to dominate (or even best) Golovkin, who returned fire after each flurry by Canelo. Power punch stats were nearly dead even, with Alvarez slightly ahead at 114 landed to Golovkin’s 110 – likely due to the fact that after the middle rounds, Golovkin realized that Canelo’s shots couldn’t knock him down, and thought to eat a few power shots to deliver more with interest. In the end, the benefit of the doubt was given to Canelo, who now has three controversial decisions to his name. Golovkin won a close decision against Daniel Jacobs back in March, which ended his streak of utter domination at the highest level, though continued his unbeaten one. In that bout, Golovkin won based on his discipline and dedication with his jab, on top of power shots traded with a game Jacobs and that knockdown. This time, however, it was Canelo who met his match in Golovkin, unable to knockout, knockdown, or even visibly hurt the Kazahk, who’s legendary chin proved those hoping he’d be put to sleep by the Mexican sensation, painfully mistaken.
More believable scorecards of 116 to 112 and 117 to 111 for Golovkin were the results of a majority of news outlets covering and professional fighters who watched the fight. If it is any consolation to Golovkin, he is still the current Unified Middleweight Champion, and is still undefeated. While valiant in his effort, Canelo was not facing a Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (50-3-1), and the difference in talent was evident. None of his past opponents save for Floyd Mayweather Jr (50-0), who gave him his only defeat, and Erislandy Lara (24-2-2), who he also escaped with a controversial split decision, gave him much trouble. Though Golovkin’s aura of sheer invincibility was shattered with the competitive nature of his last two fights, he has proven himself far better than his detractors view him. Even after being, as some critics say, “exposed”, he has proven himself indomitable. And though robbed of a victory, he stands still stands undefeated – even in the face of the extra advantages of his opponent was blessed with. Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs, as far as middleweight rankings go, still stand on the highest level of skill. But after fighting both, by whatever margin non-casual boxing fans have it, Golovkin should come out on top still.
What should boxing fans expect in a rematch? Golovkin and trainer Abel Sanchez will surely expect not to win a decision after this travesty by Adelaide Byrd, and I think neither should we. The only way Golovkin can believably defeat Canelo in a rematch is via knockout or TKO. Tasting the power the Mexican had to offer, perhaps Golovkin will be more bold and start off stronger than he had in this fight. He will have to if he wants to get that win. For Canelo, all he has to do is survive, and if bold enough, back up Golovkin with a more confident and dedicated offense: the True Mexican Style boxing. One final and telling note, during the post fight interview, fans within the Mexican-dominated audience rallied behind Golovkin, who was gracious at having received the Draw, and booed their countryman Canelo, who insisted he won the fight. When Mexicans fans refuse to rally behind THE Mexican fighter on Mexican Independence Day, something must be suspect indeed. Gennady Golovkin may have won a few more fans today, but unfortunately for Canelo Alvarez, as talented as he is, it seems evident that he has lost more than some.