Antagonists give it straight

Gennady Golovkin: “I am Gennady Golovkin until I walk into the ring. And that’s when I turn into Triple G. It’s not that I’m mean, or angry. I’m just more focused. This is the perfect fight for fans. And the perfect fight for me. I will enjoy it… I’ve wanted him [Alvarez] because of the Cotto fight when he became the mandatory challenger. I’m old school. I think there should just be one champion. All my career I’ve been denied the fights I’ve wanted [Felix Sturm, Sergio Martinez, Miguel Cotto]. That ends Saturday night.”

Canelo Alvarez: “I can assure you that I will do my part and I will do my best to give you all a beautiful fight. The most important thing for me is victory. I always prepare myself to give the best. I want this for my people, my team, for my country. And that’s what I’m going to do this Saturday. I’m going to go in there and win the fight. I prepared myself for the knockout. Look, anything can happen in this fight. But that’s what I’ve prepared for, to knock him out.”

THE fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin presents the sport of boxing with an opportunity to occupy its rightful place as the most popular indoor sport in the world.

Two warriors will collide to determine who is the best in the middleweight division.

Over the years, boxing enthusiasts and the sport’s casual followers alike called for this fight to happen, but the powers that be kept all and sundry waiting for it to “marinate”.

The generally accepted conclusion is that now is the right time for it.

This fight reminds me of the hype before the Sugar Ray Leonard versus Thomas Hearns clash, in that it pits a puncher against a skilful boxer.

Back then boxing fans were divided right down the middle on the winner.

This fight has all the ingredients of being the fight of this decade.

It’s not often that you have two boxers sharing an astounding combined record of 88 fights with an average knockout ratio of 78%.

Gennady is well known for his knockout power and his pressure.

He has the best jab in the business, which he sets up for either a half moon or overhand right to the head.

He likes to throw the jab, take one step to the side and come back to the body with a devastating left hook.

GGG is a master in cutting off the ring.

He likes to throw wide punches to direct his opponent’s movement.

His only problem is that he is fighting a different kettle of fish in Canelo.

Canelo throws combinations as if they are going out of fashion.

The ginger-haired Mexican is not only an amazing counter-puncher; he also punches with precision.

His punches are as crisp and quick