Golovkin NEEDS to win this time for the sake of boxing

OUTSIDE of the heavyweight division, Gennady Golovkin v Saul Alvarez II is the biggest fight in boxing.

It might even be bigger than Anthony Joshua (right) v Deontay Wilder.

I thought GGG was unfairly treated in their first, drawn fight. I had him three or four rounds ahead. Subsequently, he has been let down by the boxing authorities.

I have zero tolerance of performance-enhancing drugs. Canelo was hit with a six-month ban for two failed drug tests.

Though he claimed he ate contaminated meat, it does not matter how it happened in the final analysis. In combat sports, PEDs can lead to fatalities, simple as that.

Canelo should not be in the ring, but he is, so we have to make a call. For the sake of the sport, I believe it is better that GGG wins, but he is up against it.

It is a year to the day since the first fight. Golovkin is 36. As an attacking fighter you age quicker, constantly running on to punches. No matter how good you are at slipping, you get hit. It’s not just the fights, it is the world-class sparring partners trying to take his head off, too. That also chips away.

Golovkin introduced a unique style that we had never seen before, hands up chopping down with left hooks to the top of the head. Technically, that is unusual.

But none can escape the reach of time. GGG won more rounds in the first fight, but they were very close. And he’s that much older now.

GGG could do exactly the same as last time and get the decision he deserved. But something tells me Canelo will be more competitive. Golovkin hit him with everything but didn’t budge him, which was surprising. Canelo is a really, really good fighter, a great combination puncher and fast. He also has excellent head movement, is very compact and great to watch. I don’t believe the fight will be dramatically different in dynamic but, though I hope I’m wrong, I think Canelo might edge it this time.