Age unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) from Kazakhstan will make his debut in the super middleweight division in September and will try to take away all 4 belts from his antagonist from Mexico Saul Canelo Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KOs).
WATCH THE FIGHT Canelo vs Golovkin 3 ON DAZN
The fighters had previously met twice, boxing for Golovkin’s middleweight titles. In 2017, they brought the fight to a controversial draw, and 12 months later, Canelo won the minimum.
This year, the veteran exchanged his fifth decade, so he is often asked about his retirement.
Golovkin answers: “Hard to say. I will box as long as I feel competitive at the top level. Until I can show all the best that I can. I will box until my body gives a clear signal that it is time to stop. Don’t forget that I have three titles down the division (WBA Super, IBF and a minor IBO). So even a possible defeat will not affect my decision to end my career. I just want to be honest with myself, listen to my body and my head. I want to know when it’s time for me to stop.”
On why the third fight took place so late: “There were certain agreements that the other side grossly violated. There were even lawsuits from our side. And then there was a pandemic. So at some point I didn’t expect the fight to take place. No, it’s not true that the fight was only made possible by Canelo’s loss to Dimitri Bivol. On the other hand, the loss brought Canelo back to reality. Now he will be more diligent in preparing for battle.
Why Canelo insists they have a personal grudge: “I dont know. Perhaps this is somehow connected with the side effects of some drugs in his body. For me it’s just a sport, no enmity, nothing personal. His words… They are simply inexplicable. I don’t think my legacy is in jeopardy ahead of the third fight. Even if I don’t win. My legacy is not going anywhere. With or without victory in the upcoming battle.
The second fight between Golovkin and Canelo was supposed to take place in May 2018, but the Mexican failed the test for illegal drugs – revealed clenbuterol. The Kazakhstani accused the opponent of cheating, after which personal hostility appeared.
Canelo said the other day that “his goal is to retire Golovkin!” And the Kazakhstani responded by shaming Saul for his reaction after the fight with Bivol.
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