By Keith Idec
Gennady Golovkin admits he wasn’t at his best when he faced Canelo Alvarez.
The middleweight champion still feels he clearly defeated the Mexican superstar in their 12-round, 160-pound title fight September 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Only one judge, Dave Moretti, scored their competitive contest for Golovkin (115-113), who settled for a draw.
Judge Don Trella gave Golovkin and Alvarez six rounds apiece and had it even through 12 rounds (114-114). Judge Adalaide Byrd, whose 118-110 score for Alvarez caused boxing’s biggest judging controversy since Manny Pacquiao’s split-decision defeat to Timothy Bradley, somehow scored 10 of the 12 rounds for the challenger.
The dubious draw on his record didn’t prevent Golovkin from agreeing to return to T-Mobile Arena for their rematch, scheduled for May 5. The IBO/IBF/WBC/WBA champion spoke prior to a press conference Tuesday night in Los Angeles about how he needs to beat Alvarez more conclusively in their second bout, so that he isn’t left lamenting another debatable decision once he leaves the ring May 5.
“I will make it dominant and more obvious this time,” Golovkin said. “I’m not necessarily saying I’ll get a KO, but I would like one. I will do my job in the ring. I cannot control the evaluation of it [judging].”
However their rematch unfolds, Golovkin thinks Alvarez should be preparing to avenge the second defeat of his career. The 35-year-old champion feels he earned at least a 115-113 win five months ago, maybe even a 116-112 victory.
According to CompuBox, Golovkin landed 49 more overall punches than Alvarez (218-of-703 to 169-of-505). CompuBox counted more power punches for Alvarez (114-of-272 to 110-of-342) and more jabs for Golovkin (108-of-361 to 55-of-233).
“I’m not going in to prove anything,” Golovkin said. “I have nothing to prove. I just wanna win. I wanna win. I wanna keep my belts. I wanna stay champion.”
Kazakhstan’s Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs) will turn 36 before their rematch. Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs) won’t turn 28 until two months later, but Golovkin doesn’t feel his age is a disadvantage entering their second showdown.
“I feel good,” Golovkin said. “I still have my power. I feel great. I have all the motivation in the world for this fight. This is the two best pound-for-pound fighters, fighting each other. The winner will be the pound-for-pound king.”
2023-10-20 12:58:28
