Canelo settles score, takes rematch by decision over GGG
Canelo Alvarez won the middleweight title by the narrowest of margins Saturday night, taking a majority decision over Gennady Golovkin to hand the longtime champion his first loss as a pro.
A year after the two fought to a draw, the second fight was almost as close. There were no knockdowns, but the action was spirited throughout as the two battled to the final bell before a frenzied crowd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Two judges favored Alvarez 115-113, while a third had it 114-114. The AP scored it 114-114.
The two fighters switched roles, with Triple G trying to counter Alvarez and the Mexican fighter coming forward much of the fight. Both landed well to the head and Golovkin controlled some rounds with his jab though neither were ever in any trouble of going down.
“He’s a great fighter but I’m a great fighter and I showed it tonight,” Alvarez said.
The fight was a rematch of a draw last September that left neither fighter satisfied.
MAYWEATHER PREDICTS PACQUAIO REMATCH >> Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he’s coming out of retirement again to fight Manny Pacquiao for a second time in December. Mayweather posted a video on Instagram early Saturday that showed him and Pacquiao together, reportedly in Japan, jawing at each other over a possible second fight.
“I’m coming back to fight Manny Pacquiao this year,” Mayweather said. “Another nine-figure pay day on the way.”
Soccer
SPORTING KC WHIPS QUAKES, TAKES OVER FIRST >> Gerso Fernandes had two goals and two assists, and Sporting Kansas City moved into first place in the Western Conference with a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium. Sporting KC (15-7-6) moved a point ahead of FC Dallas in the standings. Danny Hoesen scored for the Quakes (4-16-8) in the 80th minute with a long-range blast.
Motors
HUNTER-REAY KNOCKS OFF DIXON FOR SONOMA POLE >> Ryan Hunter-Reay snatched the pole from championship contender Scott Dixon in the final seconds of qualifying at Sonoma Raceway. Hunter-Reay crossed the timing line in 1 minute, 17.6277 seconds to earn his first pole of the season and deny Dixon the top starting spot. Dixon, who is vying for a fifth IndyCar title, went 1:17.7599 seconds and was atop the leader board until the very end.
Dixon has a 29-point lead over Alexander Rossi in the standings and the pole would have given him an additional point before today’s race, the series finale.
Tennis
MIKE BRYAN HELPS U.S. STAY ALIVE >> Doubles specialist Mike Bryan’s decision to come out of Davis Cup retirement gave the United States a much-needed lift.
Bryan teamed with Ryan Harrison for the first time and helped the Americans outlast Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic 7-5, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5) over nearly five hours in Zadar, Croatia, to cut Croatia’s lead to 2-1 in their semifinal on Saturday.
In today’s reverse singles, Marin Cilic faces Steve Johnson, and Borna Coric meets Frances Tiafoe. The winner will meet defending champion France.