As Mexican Independence Day approaches, people are making plans to get together for what is deemed to be one of the greatest fights in boxing history. In just a few weeks ahead, Mexicans and Kazakhs will get together on Sept. 16, and enjoy fireworks inside the T-Mobile arena or from the comforts of their homes.
Gennady Golovkin versus Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is set up to be the perfect storm in Las Vegas. The 2004 silver medalist from Karaganda, Kazakhstan—who has been long considered on the best and most avoided middleweights in the world—is a relentless fighter who comes intelligently straightforward and attacks his opponents with powerful combinations or one-punch hooks that can and have ended fights early.
“I respect people, I respect fans, you know,” said Golovkin in an interview during his Mexican Style Press Tour as he promotes the fight. “Mexican fans is huge fans, and my coach, Abel Sanchez is originally from Mexico, he brings me Mexican style.”
On the other hand, Canelo—the lineal middleweight champion after he dethroned Miguel Cotto in 2015—is a slick boxer-puncher who welcomes his opponents to come forward and attack him, only to be counter attack with combination that wear down the pursuer, ultimately allowing Canelo to finish off his opponents.
“I think this fight will be one of the greatest in boxing history, without a doubt,” Canelo said during an interview on the Luke Thomas radio show. “I take it like that and think it’s a huge fight for boxing, a fight that boxing needs and people have been asking for it, so I’m happy that the fight is on.”
The saying is styles make fights, and Golovkin’s and Canelo’s styles call for what everyone wants to see, a back-and-forth, give and take bout that will have everyone on the edge of their seats.
“I’m rooting for Canelo,”said Mexican-born and San Francisco native, Gabriel Hernandez. “I think it’ll be a close fight, I think they’ll study each other off and think it’ll go to a decision, but I think GGG if he lands, he can knock him out. I don’t think Canelo will go for the knockout, I think he’ll outbox GGG, keep his distance and win by decision.”
But while the fight lands on Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Golovkin has endeared himself to Mexican fight fans everywhere.
“I think Golovkin is going to win,” said Agustin Diaz, a lifelong boxing fan from Vallejo, Ca. “He’s a better boxer than Canelo and hits hard. He’s also susceptible to punches because he attacks. GGG has also never faced a puncher like Canelo, who can also box. If GGG is careless Canelo will knock him out. I personally think GGG wins by decision, or Canelo knocks him out.”
But regardless of predictions, many expect the fight to be action packed.
“I believe that this will be the fight of the year,” said Mission District native Wilber Zavala. “Canelo is the best Mexican fighter at this time and GGG is also a great fighter. I think the fight will go 12 rounds even though I would like to see a knockout in the 10th round. It’s going to be a very close fight and I believe that it is going to bring viewers on their feet. I feel that GGG is going to give his best as well as Canelo. As for rooting, it’s obvious I will be rooting for Canelo, but I do hope both fighters bring out their best and give a great fight.
Making any sort of prediction for a fight of this magnitude is useless. Both Golovkin and Canelo can end the fight at any moment. And for that moment, we’ll wait.