Last week, The Athletic’s Lance Pugmire reported that four-division champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) and IBF Middleweight titleholder Gennadiy Golovkin (40-1-1, 35 KOs) have agreed on financial terms for a trilogy fight that could potentially take place on September 12 at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
With the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and everything going on in the world in addition to the fact that both Canelo and Golovkin currently have fights booked that will likely be postponed, there are obviously no guarantees as to what the future holds.
This is, however, indeed positive news for boxing fans, especially because it seemed as if a third bout between the two champions was off the table.
Canelo, the current WBC (Franchise), WBA and Lineal Middleweight champion, and Golovkin first fought in 2017 in an action-packed 12-round affair that ended in a majority draw thanks to an unimaginably bad scorecard from judge Adelaide Byrd. Many felt as if “GGG” had clearly won the bout.
The two then rematched a year later in what turned out to be another incredibly close fight, though this time Canelo was given the nod via majority decision.
Given the way the first two fights played out, a trilogy bout between Alvarez and Golovkin seemed to be a foregone conclusion. DAZN thought so as well, as executives believed the bout to be a part of the company’s 10-fight, $350 million contract with Canelo.
The 29-year-old Mexican star never agreed to that with his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, however, which has led to a bit of a rift between Alvarez and those at Golden Boy Promotions.
Regardless, tunes seemed to have changed and it appears as if one of the biggest fights that can be made in boxing is inching closer towards reality.
And if it does, what would it mean and what would be on the line for both Canelo and Golovkin?
Beginning with the latter, the 37-year-old Golovkin has been targeting a third bout against Alvarez since the moment the second fight ended. It’s part of the reason that he too signed on with DAZN last year.
And if he does indeed get his wish with a third fight, it will primarily be about legacy for the native of Kazakhstan.
There’s no denying that GGG is one of the best fighters of his generation. He’s without question one of the best Middleweights in recent memory. His 37-fight unbeaten streak prior to his first fight with Canelo that featured 23-straight stoppage victories proves that.
It has, however, been argued that Golovkin lacks many marquee victories on his record. His 2017 victory over Daniel Jacobs was impressive, but other than that, GGG hasn’t always faced and beaten the toughest of competition, which was rarely any fault of his own.
And while many felt as if he clearly beat Canelo the first time around and as if the second bout could’ve gone either way, neither of those fights have a “W” next to them on Golovkin’s record.
Because of that, a third fight against Alvarez would provide GGG with an opportunity to finally earn that marquee victory and put a stamp on his Hall of Fame career.
For Canelo, a third fight against Golovkin would be more about silencing the critics and leaving no doubt as to who the superior fighter is between the two.
Prior to the first fight, many had criticized Alvarez due to the fact that they felt as if the Mexican had been avoiding GGG. And as previously mentioned, many felt as if Canelo clearly lost the fight.
The rematch was then a bit closer, though feelings were still mixed on which fighter deserved to have his hand raised. And following the two bouts, Canelo showed little interest in a third match, leaving his critics to have a field day with him.
Because of the controversial nature in which the previous two fights ended, a trilogy bout would give Canelo the opportunity to make a statement.
Despite the fact that Golovkin has appeared to slow down a bit, winning a trilogy bout in convincing fashion would allow Alvarez to close a chapter in his career, while adding another notable victory to a resume that has become undeniably great.
