This past September, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez met Gennady Golovkin in one of the biggest fights on the 2017 boxing calendar. Golovkin was the acknowledged kingpin in the 160 pound middleweight division and Alvarez was the crossover star looking to add to his legend by slaying “Triple G.”
The two battled it out in a tense, if not highlight reel filled bout that many observers felt Golovkin won. The judges however returned scorecards that declared the fight a draw and the world has been talking rematch ever since. Though there is no official signing that has been announced the fight is expected to go down in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend. Many of the sports books have issued a line for the match.
As expected, the line is close, just like the first match-up. But is the line, that slightly favors Golovkin right now, leaning the wrong way?
Golovkin was the aggressor throughout the fight as he hunted “Canelo.” For his part, Alvarez showed improved lateral movement and footwork that worked for him at times throughout the fight. At times Golovkin appeared to grow frustrated by wrinkles Alvarez was showing, but rather than make boxing adjustments, Triple G would simply put his head down and bore in moving forward. When he found Alvarez, his vaunted power did not really manifest itself, and his critics note this was the second fight in a row where he was taken the distance after a KO streak of more than 20 fights.
Golovkin will be 36 years old in April. Come May, Alvarez will be 27 years old and entering the prime of his career. Alvarez already faced down the beast once and got a draw. Yes, many think Alvarez lost, but he was not blown out and more importantly, he saw everything Golovkin could throw at him. Cinco de Mayo is Alvarez’ weekend to shine as one of boxing’s biggest stars and you could well see the lines change to favor “Canelo” as we get closer to fight time.
Middleweight 12 rounds
Saul Alvarez +150 o11½ -145
Gennady Golovkin -170 u11½ +125
