THE NEW BOXING CLASH OF THE DECADE
Golovkin and Alvarez gear up for display of violence
THEY both entered quietly into the MGM Grand lobby for what is commonly known as the “Grand Arrivals” day. It was an opportunity for aficionados to watch the ceremonial walk-in up close.
But as Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Kazakh destroyer Gennady Golovkin slipped into the VIP area behind a pair of sliding doors in Las Vegas, they told a large gathering of the media of their intent on Saturday night: to deliver a display of pure violence.
Alvarez told Golovkin to “bring it” as the pair kickedoff fight week ahead of their toe-to-toe clash.
He confirmed to the analysts and scribes that he expected “a vicious, violent war” when asked if he envisaged a brutal affair as East meets Central America in a battle of fists and wills – and middleweight bragging rights. Alvarez said it without a smile, and with relish.
Ditto, the Kazakh. Hard as they come.
This is a showdown which has many believing it will go down in the list of classic fights, to sit alongside the legendary bouts of the 1980s, something which Golovkin himself agrees with.
The 35-year-old believes that if they trade blows early, and stay toe-toe, the violence could replicate the eight minutes of utter mayhem created when Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns fought to a standstill at Caesar's Palace in April 1985.
They blazed with fists and fury, before Hagler had his way.
“I want to win this fight because for me this win will be like a history fight, like so many fights, like Leonard v Hagler and others from that era. I believe the middleweight division will come back. And Canelo, he’s a very special guy. Right now for us it’s huge. Especially for me, it’s huge,” Golovkin said.
“The story of the middleweight division, it’s a long story. I remember a lot of great champions, like Carlos Monzon, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Bernard Hopkins.”
The flame-haired Alvarez wants to give fans the fight they have long yearned for and warned knockout king Golovkin to be ready.
“I know what I have in front of me. I know he’s a strong fighter,” Alvarez said.
“He is the most dangerous opponent of my career, but I’m ready for him and what’s next to come. That’s why we prepared, and also to give the fans a beautiful fight.
“I’m excited and happy that the fight is almost here. I’m going to do and use whatever I need to be one step ahead of Gennady in the ring.
“Without a doubt, our fight on Saturday will be one of the great fights in the history of boxing,” Alvarez said. – The Telegraph
The Alvarez versus Golovkin bill will be live on SuperSport 2 from 2am on Sunday, with the main fight not expected to start before 5am.