Alvarez next faces champ Golovkin
Mexican’s victory against Chavez sets up title fight
LAS VEGAS — Minutes after turning what was touted as a big fight into a glorified sparring session, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez invited his next opponent into the ring.
About 90 minutes later, Alvarez had already changed into a suit and tie to pose for the first staredown with Gennady “GGG” Golovkin.
At long last, Alvarez is ready to give boxing fans what they want. The two will square off Sept. 16, Mexican Independence Day.
“I’m very happy that this fight is finally here,” Alvarez said through an interpreter, “the one that a lot of you said would never be made.”
Alvarez, who had been fighting at light middleweight, had been accused of ducking the heavier Golovkin for a year. But after pummeling countryman Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Saturday night, Mexico’s top fighter is eager for the long overdue megafight to determine the middleweight champion.
“For us, this is the biggest fight in boxing,” Golovkin said.
The Kazakhstan native owns the IBF, WBA and WBC middleweight titles. Alvarez had to relinquish his WBC belt to Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) last year when he declined a mandatory challenge.
“I’ve always stated that Triple G will happen in 2017,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Alvarez’s promoter. “Everybody was saying, ‘Why are you afraid of Triple G? Why is this not going to happen?’ I told everybody it’s going to happen in September, and we’re extremely proud and happy that this fight is going to take place.”
Still to be determined is the venue, and De La Hoya insisted it could be “anywhere in the world.” One possibility is AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which would allow for a crowd upward of 100,000. The Dallas Cowboys play on the road that weekend, making it an option.
“Those negotiations, those talks will start in the weeks to come,” De La Hoya said.
Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 KOs) had never fought above 155 pounds until he weighed in at 164 Friday. He had no trouble adjusting, appearing to toy with Chavez. The 26-year-old occasionally would lean back into the ropes and take punches from Chavez, only to quickly regain control.