This Saturday, September 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada sees HBO Boxing hook up with Golden Boy Promotions to bring us the much-awaited Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin (37-0) versus Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (49-1-1).
Golovkin is defending his IBF, WBA and WBC world titles at 160 pounds against Alvarez, who is one of boxing’s top draws. This is the big stage and the big money fight that Golovkin has been working for over the past few years. Golovkin has fought often over the last few years but he has not had a fight where he will be the “B”-side until now against Alvarez.
At one point in his stellar career Alvarez held the WBC belt but he vacated the titleand the Golovkin match-up did not materialize. That chain of events set off a PR nightmare for “Canelo” who looked to be avoiding Golovkin and who saw his PPV sales drop from 900K against Miguel Cotto in November of 2015 to 600K against Amir Khan in May of 2016 and just 300K against England’s Liam Smith last September. Alvarez’ May of 2017 fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr sold more than a million PPV buys and only after that strong bounce-back did Alvarez and his handlers deem the time right to fight Golovkin.
Everyone should remember that trash talk is okay, but it was never about being scared of Golovkin for “Canelo.” At this point in his career Alvarez is like a corporation and a lot of things have to be lined up and ready to go for him to perform. All the shenanigans about ducking Triple G aside, this was always about Golden Boy Promotions calling the shots for this fight.
It also appears like Golovkin’s side did not trouble themselves too much with signing on the dotted line. Yes, there were moments before the fight was signed where GBP offered Triple “G” a flat fee for the fight that appeared to be showstoppers, but Golovkin now has the big fight he wanted. The winner will hold three of the major world titles at 160 pounds and he will also hold a legitimate claim at being the number one pound for pound fighter in the world today.
The undercard features undefeated GBP talent Joseph “JoJo” DIaz and Diego De La Hoya in separate matches that could still get attention from the sport books, check back closer to fight time. Eight fights in all are planned for the live show at the T-Mobile Arena.
Middleweight 12 rounds – Las Vegas, Nevada – PPV
Saul Alvarez +140 O9 1/2 -230
Gennady Golovkin -160 U9 1/2 +190
