Predictions
Boxing reporters pick the Alvarezgolovkin winner:
■ Ryan Burton (Boxingscene.com):
■ Lance Pugmire (Los Angeles Times):
■ Bob Velin (USA Today):
■ Elie Seckbach (Esnews):
■ Michael Rosenthal (The Ring Magazine): Golovkin, 10th-round KO
■ Ed Graney (Review-journal): Golovkin, 10th-round KO
■ Tim Dahlberg (The Associated Press): Golovkin, 10th-round KO
■ Gilbert Manzano (Review-journal): Golovkin, majority decision
■ Norm Fraueneheim (The Ring Magazine): Golovkin, split decision
■ Dan Rafael (ESPN.COM): Golovkin, 10thround KO
■ Bryan Salmond (Review-journal): Alvarez, split decision
■ Sam Gordon (Review-journal): Golovkin, split decision
■ Gareth A Davies (The Daily London Telegraph): Alvarez, majority decision
■ Keith Idec (Boxingscene.com): Alvarez, split decision
■ Mike Coppinger (The Ring Magazine): Alvarez, split decision
■ Andreas Hale (Yahoo Sports): 10th-round KO
■ Total: Alvarez 8, Golovkin 8
Utilize the jab
When there’s a 50-50 bout, it’s always important to win those early rounds when both fighters are feeling each other out.
Golovkin usually doesn’t need to rely on the jab, but he might against Alvarez. Golovkin has one of the better jabs in the sport, and by using that he can dictate the pace and not allow Alvarez to get his combinations off.
The three-belt middleweight champion last used the jab to his benefit against David Lemieux, a power-punching fighter. Alvarez is arguably the strongest puncher Golovkin has faced.
“I don’t think his snap and his power is like Golovkin’s, but if Golovkin gets caught with a good shot, anybody can go down,” said Abel Sanchez, Golovkin’s trainer.
Cut the ring
Not many cut off the ring better than Golovkin. Alvarez likes fighting off the ropes to throw his counter punches, but Golovkin must move him away from his comfort spots.
By stalking Alvarez and dictating the pace, that doesn’t allow the Mexican fighter to get into a rhythm.
Don’t get robbed
Golovkin said he has faith in the three judges if it comes down to the scorecards.
The undefeated boxer is new to
Las Vegas. He should never leave it up to the judges, especially the ones from Nevada.
Golovkin needs to do what he does best — knock out his opponent. His 23-straight knockout streak ended in March, but he needs to start a new one to make sure there are no robberies on fight night.
Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gmanzano24 on Twitter.