Mexico’s Alvarez was in cost for many of 12 rounds at an electrical T-Mobile Arena, profitable a unanimous resolution to spark wild scenes of celebration among the many Mexican followers who made up many of the sell-out crowd.
Canelo Alvarez (L) poses for pictures within the ring subsequent to referee Russell Mora after defeating Gennadiy Golovkin by unanimous resolution to retain his tremendous middleweight titles at T-Mobile Arena on September 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP.
LAS VEGAS, UNITED STATES – Saul “Canelo” Alvarez retained his undisputed super-middleweight world title on Saturday, seeing off Gennady Golovkin to full their epic struggle trilogy in Las Vegas.
Mexico’s Alvarez was in cost for many of 12 rounds at an electrical T-Mobile Arena, profitable a unanimous resolution to spark wild scenes of celebration among the many Mexican followers who made up many of the sell-out crowd.
One decide scored the bout 116-112 whereas the 2 others noticed it 115-113 for Alvarez, who took management early and continued to cruise whilst Golovkin stepped it up within the late rounds.
Canelo Alvarez with all of his super-middleweight belts after profitable the Gennady Golovkin trilogy struggle pic.twitter.com/raN522qbYn
Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 18, 2022
“Thank you so much, my friend,” Alvarez mentioned to Golovkin within the ring after a bout whose build-up was marked by some bitter rhetoric. “We gave the fans three good fights. Thank you for everything.”
It was a welcome return to type for Alvarez, who suffered the second defeat of his profession earlier this yr after shifting up to light-heavyweight to face Dmitry Bivol.
“You have to continue to move forward,” he mentioned. “I have shown that defeats can show you can be great and you can regain your humility.”
This return to 168 kilos clearly suited Alvarez, despite the fact that he mentioned he fought with a left hand harm that may require surgical procedure.
Wholesome @Canelo #CaneloGGG3 pic.twitter.com/5LCFY7Nd2O
Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 18, 2022
“I’ve had issues with my hand since the Caleb Plant fight last year,” he mentioned. “I need surgery. It’s not broken, it’s more of a problem with my wrist.
“I obtained a bit drained on the finish primarily as a result of we have not labored on a lot explosive stuff within the gymnasium. It was vastly satisfying to win and with my hand issues, I out-jabbed among the finest ever.”
Golovkin, meanwhile, was left to rue a leaden start, only sparking into life when it was too late.
“It was a tactical mistake on my half to begin gradual, however we needed to see how the struggle was going to develop,” Golovkin said. “I feel we each began slowly.”
Alvarez, who said he knew from the first round he wouldn’t get the knockout he craved, improved to 58-2-2 with 39 knockouts.
This highly anticipated third tussle between two of the hardest hitting fighters in the world came four years after their last meeting.
Back in 2018, it was Alvarez whose hand was raised at the end of 12 frenetic, quality rounds which saw Golovkin suffer defeat for the very first time as he came out on the wrong end of a narrow majority decision.
Their first fight the year before ended in a draw.
Bad blood had boiled between them ever since Alvarez failed a drugs test and was banned for six months.
Golovkin, who fell to 42-2 with one drawn and 37 knockouts, said any dispute with Alvarez was “100%” settled and he felt no animosity for him.
Alvarez came to the ring roared on by his adoring public, many of whom were still in the mood for a party after Mexican Independence day celebrations in Sin City.
MEXICO
GGG has been on the road for almost a decade, so taking on Alvarez — and the pumped up crowd — was nothing new, unlike fighting at super-middleweight which was a first for the 40 year-old.
Chants of “Mexico! Mexico!” roared out as Alvarez opened aggressively, but couldn’t find a way through the Golovkin rearguard.
The first couple of rounds were cagey with Alvarez throwing a lot but not connecting with everything.
Golovkin’s face started to redden thanks to Alvarez’s jab.
The Mexican was firmly on the front foot. A big right hook in the fifth smashed against Golovkin’s granite chin, but the Kazakh was able to absorb the force and push his cause on against his far more aggressive opponent.
Golovkin started to show his age as Alvarez continued with a barrage of shots which attempted to break down the GGG defence.
In the ninth round, Alvarez found himself against the ropes but Golovkin just couldn’t make any inroads even though he had begun to throw more shots.
The last few rounds were frenetic and action packed, Golovkin throwing everything at his Mexican opponent but it was too little, too late as Alvarez held firm.
Alvarez said he wasn’t surprised at Golovkin’s late pressure.
“It did not shock me. I do know him — he is a robust fighter.”
And he said he’d welcome a chance to avenge his loss to Bivol, but first he needs to get healthy.
“I would like to relaxation my physique,” Alvarez said. “I would like to relaxation my hand, my physique, however I’ll come again stronger. I’ll beat him.”
Golovkin, meanwhile, rejected the idea the defeat could send him into retirement.
“Remember, I’m nonetheless champion at 160,” mentioned Golovkin, proprietor of the IBF and WBA middleweight world titles.
All eyes on #BivolZurdo
I’ll beat him! – @Canelo pic.twitter.com/crAbCR6o6j
Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 18, 2022