Did you know that boxing dates back to 3000 BC in Egypt? Since then, spectators began funneling into amphitheaters and coliseums across the ancient world. Even then, the guts and glory of boxing drew attention.
While boxing experienced a slump in viewership for a few years, it’s now enjoying a revival thanks to new, high-profile fighters like the Paul brothers, who have recaptured audience interest. But, while they have captured attention with flashy antics, they lack the graceful mechanics and experience of the sport’s top performers: Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin.
These two fighters have been dancing around the ring for decades, putting heart, stamina, and skill on display. And, we’re lucky enough to see them fight each other for the third time this September! In many ways, this fight is the culmination of modern boxing.
In this article, we’ll be going over what to expect from Canelo vs. GGG in September 2022, so read on to learn more!
GGG vs. Canelo 1
In 2017, Golovkin and Alvarez faced off for the first time in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Golovkin seemed to edge ahead in the fight with strong combinations and kept his range with a powerful jab. GGG seemed to set the pace for the fight and kept Canelo pinned to the ropes for punishing combinations.
This pressure had many people thinking that GGG had pulled it off.
Canelo reported that he was unshaken by GGG’s combinations and felt that he won the fight. But, statistically speaking, GGG landed 218 power shots to Canelo’s 169.
But, Judge Byrd scored the fight for Alvarez, 118-110. Judge Moretti scored it 115-113 in favor of Golovkin, and Judge Trella scored it even at 114-114. This split decision draw was incredibly contentious.
Many sports analysts chalked this up to a “benefit of the doubt” that Alvarez is often afforded in his fights. The director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission admitted that Byrd’s decisive scorecard was questionable at best, suggesting that the fight should have been a split decision win for GGG.
Live spectators booed the decision, and a campaign of slander began on social media. GGG himself seemed undisturbed, saying that he retained his belts and was happy with his performance, and he could ask for nothing more.
GGG vs. Canelo 2
Just a year later, Canelo vs. GGG 2 happened in the same arena but with a very different result. The fight was one of the most exciting in boxing history, going through all 12, gritty and action-packed rounds.
In the middle of the fight, Canelo hit his stride, landing several punishing combinations to GGG’s body which seemed to drain him and left him looking tired and a bit wobbly against the ropes.
In the 10th and 11th rounds, Golovkin rallied with huge overhands and big combinations. All judged scored these rounds in GGG’s favor.
But, the 12th round was close and hotly contested. Neither fighter backed down and kept the pressure on. But, Alvarez got a slight margin in the last round.
This decided the fight against Alvarez in one of the most exciting back-and-forth matches in modern boxing history.
Head to Head
In September, Canelo will enter the ring with 60 fights, 57 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. Of his wins, he’s had 39 knockouts. All this is pending his next fight vs. Dmitry Bivol for the WBA light heavyweight world title.
His opponent, GGG, will enter the ring with 44 fights, 42 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Of his wins, he’s had 37 knockouts.
Canelo had his professional debut in 2005 and has fought a total of 436 professional rounds. GGG had his professional debut in 2006 and has fought a total of 228 professional rounds.
This means that Canelo is the more experienced fighter by 16 fights. But, as GGG has proven, once you reach this level of boxing, experience doesn’t factor in too much. Both have a long history of fighting and 16 fights is a drop in the bucket.
So, although Canelo has 208 more professional rounds than GGG, it’s because the latter ends up finishing more of his fights! GGG has a better KO rate, with an 88% knockout percentage. Canelo has a 68% knockout percentage, which shows that GGG has more power coming into the ring.
Canelo is 31 while GGG is 40, making him the younger fighter. In some cases, youth can be an advantage in the ring, providing more natural energy. But, depending on how GGG’s fight camp has gone, this might not be much of an advantage.
GGG is just one inch taller than Canelo, but both have equal reach and fight orthodox, so physically they’re about even. According to RING and the WBA, GGG is the number 1 fighter in the 160lbs division. On the other hand, Canelo is ranked number 1 in the 168lbs division according to every sanctioning body.
GGG’s Recent Form
In his last five fights, GGG has won four with three knockouts. Five fights ago was his loss to Alvarez. Following that, he hasn’t lost.
He beat Steve Rolls by TKO in New York. Then, he beat Sergiy Derevyanchenko by unanimous decision for the IBF world middleweight title. Then, he beat Kami Szeremeta via TKO to defend that title.
GGG’s most recent fight, against Ryota Murata, although it was a victory, left some questions about his ability to fight this September. He moved stiffly and slowly, and his feet were heavy. He’s recently turned 40 and hasn’t been in the ring since 2020, so this could be the product of ring rust or the product of age.
He did still win, in a decisive fashion, winning in a ninth-round TKO. Despite this performance, it raises questions about GGG’s age. Canelo is clearly still in his prime, while GGG could be on the way out.
But, whether he’s still in his prime or not, he knocked out Murata, winning the WBA belt and retaining his IBF and IBO titles. This is no small feat considering Murata’s experience, youth, and technique.
So, maybe it was just the product of GGG kicking off the ring rust and getting back into shape after a few years without his gloves on. Someone like GGG has a wealth of experience and the ability to adjust his course after the lessons he learned in this fight.
Canelo’s Recent Form
In his last 5 fights, Canelo has been undefeated, winning all of them by TKO. He’s stayed more active than GGG during the pandemic when fights were rare.
He defeated Sergey Kovalev by TKO for the WBO world light heavyweight championship. Following that, he defeated Calum Smith by unanimous decision winning the WBC and WBA super-middleweight titles.
After that, he beat Avni Yildirim by TKO in the third, defending his WBC and WBA titles while securing The Ring’s super middleweight title. Then he knocked out Billy Joe Saunders in the eighth round, defending all of his titles.
Finally, in his last fight, he beat Caleb Plant by knockout in the 11th, defending all his belts and adding the IBF world super-middleweight title. He’s slated to fight Dmitry Bivol on May 7th.
What to Expect From GGG vs. Canelo 3
It’s been 4 years since the Canelo and GGG last met in the ring, and both fighters have struggled to stay active during the pandemic. For GGG, this may have had some serious consequences – has he lost the last years of his prime to COVID?
Will GGG be able to learn from his last fight and his previous loss to Alvarez to win the trilogy fight? Canelo seems to be on a tear, cleaning up opponents left and right in the super middleweight division.
To take him on, GGG is moving up to 168. He’s ranked number one at 160, so this is about 8 pounds heavier than what suits him best.
The fight certainly seems to have Canelo as the likely winner, but having watched both of their previous fights it’s clear that GGG won’t let it go easily.
Furthermore, Canelo’s weakness is pressure on fighters. He struggles when his opponent sets the pace and breaks his distance. The just happens to be GGG’s strong suit, and once he’s sure to exploit in the ring.
The fight will be neck and neck right to the end, and it’s not one to miss. Since tickets for Canelo vs GGG, have recently gone on sale, it’s best to buy them now to make sure you have front row seats for this fight, which is sure to be an action-packed and punishing duel.
Get Front Row Seats for the Best in Boxing
Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin is shaping up to be one of the best fights in modern history. After contentious decisions, both fighters have something to prove. Alvarez has to show he earned his last victory and is here to stay, while GGG has to prove that he’s not ready to hang up the gloves just yet.
Up Next:
As a boxing fan, you will want to attend the highly-anticipated Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga showdown at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Use our guide for T-Mobile Arena Best Seats For Boxing from Ringside to Upper Level options.
When Is Canelo Vs Benavidez?
In 2024, Canelo Alvarez is expected face David Benavidez in a bout held in the United States. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds in the Super Middleweight division, where the weight limit is set at 168 pounds. Discover additional information regarding tickets for Canelo vs. Benavidez.
