By Norm Frauenheim–

LAS VEGAS – Canelo Alvarez says he’s happy to be back on what he calls the path to greatness, a destination that suddenly grew elusive in a stunning loss to Dmitry Bivol four months ago.

It’s still there, of course. Canelo has always talked about greatness as though it’s his destiny. Bivol was just like that bumper sticker. Bleep happens.

Canelo intends to leave it behind and resume his march on history in a long-awaited and long-overdue third fight with Gennadiy Golovkin Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in a DAZN pay-per-view bout.

Everything seems to say that a victory over Golovkin will happen. GGG is 40, the same age Manny Pacquiao was when his career ended against late stand-in Yordenis Ugas a year ago. Canelo is nearly a 5-to-1 favorite.

Nobody gives GGG much of a chance. Then again, few would have ever guessed that Albert Pujols would be closing in on the 700-home-run milestone at 42-years-old either. Remember, bleep happens. Maybe, GGG channels Pujols and hits a homer here. But don’t bet on it.

Expect a Canelo victory. But greatness is different. It’s not an expectation. It’s an argument. At least, it is amid all the talk before GGG and Canelo resume their contentious rivalry.

Canelo, still boxing’s undisputed box-office draw, stirred up controversy about a month ago when asked if he would fight fellow Mexican Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez if Ramirez beats Bivol on Nov. 5.

“I don’t want to fight Mexicans,’’ Canelo said. “I represent Mexico.’’

The comment has been repeated and interpreted. According to one interpretation, Canelo was really saying he wouldn’t fight David Benavidez. The problem with that one is that Benavidez is Mexican-American. He’s from Phoenix. Over the last couple of years, Benavidez has emerged as the one super-middleweight fans would like to see fight Canelo.

But Canelo has moved on to other challenges against other 168-pound contenders, including Callum Smith or Caleb Plant or Billy Joe Saunders. He’s also moved up the scale, beating former light-heavyweight champ Sergey Kovalev and losing to Bivol. None of the moves have included Benavidez.

His comment about not fighting Mexicans, however, is just a further sign to Benavidez father-and-trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. that he never will.

Benavidez Sr. repeated what was said after David’s third-round blowout of David Lemieux last May in Glendale, Ariz. Then, Benavidez manager/promoter Sampson Lewkowicz told the media to forget about Canelo.

“Quit talking about David-versus-Canelo,’’ Lewkowicz said. “It’s fantasy.’’

In so many words, Jose Benavidez Sr. said the same thing four months later after a news conference Thursday at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

“It’ll never happen,’’ said Benavidez’ dad. who will be in Diego Pacheco’s corner for a super-middleweight bout against Enrique Collazo on Saturday’s undercard.

Then, Jose Benavidez had a lot more to say, suggesting that Canelo’s planned path to greatness can never happen without a fight against his son. The defining face of great in Mexican boxing is Julio Cesar Chavez.

Go to a barrio gym in Mexico or the United States. Chances are you’ll see at least one photo or poster of the legendary JCC. He’s the icon

“Julio Cesar Chavez became one by fighting everyone,’’ he said. “He fought Filipinos, he fought Americans. It didn’t matter. He fought everyone. Nationality didn’t matter. You only had to be a champion.

“There’s no other way to be great.’’

In partnership with global broadcaster of the fight DAZN and Joe Hand Promotions, the highly-anticipated Saul “Canelo” Álvarez vs. Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin III 12-round super-middleweight title clash from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, on Saturday, September 17, will be shown in Las Vegas at Stadium Swim at Circa Resort & Casino, as part of the official watch party of Las Vegas, beginning at 5 p.m. PT.

Tickets to attend the official watch party and screening of the fight at Circa Stadium Swim are $75 for advanced sales and $100 day of event. Tickets can be purchased at CircaLasVegas.com.

Fans can chill in one of the six pools on three different levels for a perfect view of the massive 40-foot tall high definition screen. In addition to swim up bars and insta-ready selfie walls, you’ll find dozens of cozy day beds and private cabanas, plus hundreds of chaise lounges to soak up the sun and catch the most anticipated fight of the year.

Canelo and GGG fought twice before, with a 2017 fight for the unified middleweight championship ending in a controversial split draw. Álvarez won the rematch a year later by majority decision.

“The interest in this fight is at an all-time high,” said Joe Hand, Jr., President, Joe Hand Promotions. “We continuously look for new and engaging partners who look to expand their audience and provide an unbelievable experience for their guests. We’re grateful to DAZN and Circa for being able to come together to create this incredible way to watch Canelo and GGG.”

ABOUT JOE HAND PROMOTIONS

Joe Hand Promotions brings fan communities from mainstream sports and entertainment into the top corporate and independently owned bars and restaurants, theaters, casinos, and other commercial establishments to provide the best viewing experience outside of the arena.

As the commercial content partner for some of the nation’s top live-sports media properties, Joe Hand Promotions is the leader in the out-of-home live sports and entertainment media distribution industry. For over 50 years, Joe Hand Promotions has seamlessly connected commercial establishments with live sports, which has successfully driven traffic and increased revenues, time and time again. The Joe Hand Promotions team is more than the distributor, but also the advisor in this fast-growing industry. 

ABOUT DAZN

DAZN is the world’s leading sports entertainment platform. The only global digital sports broadcaster, DAZN is live in over 200 countries and is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialise, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN. DAZN is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit www.dazngroup.com.

ABOUT CIRCA RESORT & CASINO

“Circa Resort & Casino is an all-new integrated resort concept in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. The city’s first adults-only casino-resort, the AAA Four Diamond Circa pays homage to Vegas’ Golden Era through vintage design, old-school hospitality and nods to the city’s history while introducing high-tech advancements and innovative amenities. The resort features upscale rooms and suites; the world’s largest sportsbook; Stadium Swim, a year-round pool aqua theater; a two-story casino; Garage Mahal, a high-tech transportation hub; the luxe Legacy Club rooftop lounge; an expansive local art collection and more. Guests can indulge at original restaurant concepts including premium steaks and seafood at Barry’s Downtown Prime from Chef Barry S. Dakake and Make It Happen Hospitality; Pan-Asian fare at 8 East from Chef Dan Coughlin; deli classics at Saginaw’s Delicatessen from restaurateur Paul Saginaw; authentic Carolina barbecue at Project BBQ; and all-star menus at Victory Burger & Wings Co. from the founding family of American Coney Island.”

Austin Williams has got his career back on track and targeting the big guns at Middleweight – but first, must see off Kieron Conway as he looks to claim back-to-back vacant titles on the undercard of the epic trilogy clash between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night (September 17).
 
The event, presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan). 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW VIA AXS.COM
Williams (11-0 9 KOs) picked up his first title in his last outing in April, blasting Chordale Booker away inside the opening round to pick up the WBA Continental Americas title at Madison Square Garden in New York.

‘Ammo’ now meets Conway for the WBA International title and should improve on his #6 rating with the WBA if he can see off the Briton who appears on his second Canelo Alvarez undercard.

Victory for Williams would be the latest step in a positive return to the ring for the Houston talent after he took time out from the sport in April 2021 to concentrate on his mental health. The 26 year old has made some changes to his training team ahead of, but believes he’s in a great frame of mind in and out of the ring and will seize the chance to impress on a huge platform.

“It is my honor and a dream come true to open up the Canelo vs. GGG III Pay-Per-View telecast,” said Williams. “I will deliver an unforgettable experience and capture my second consecutive title in the most sophisticated way imaginable.

“I fought on a Canelo card before and I got a brilliant reaction to my performance that night, so Eddie Hearn knows that the more energy that is in the place, the more I can use it and give it back to the fans.

“Eddie signed me as a young kid, I was just 22, and they introduced me to the world. Everyone has seen my maturation into a man, and the team understand that you sign kids, and you are watching them grow. You learn every day and you learn what you go through and become a man from it.

“I decided to make a change and go back to my regular team. I learned so much from Kevin Cunningham, it was a great place for me to be at the time with the struggles I went through with my mental health, to be with someone that is very structured.

“Kevin was in the military and a police officer; he’s lived in harsh environments and was the right man to polish me up and taught me a lot about the business. He saw I had the boxing ability and talent, he took another route and taught me the game, how much of boxing is in the mind, because he’s been there, and I was receptive to listening to it.

“I’ve had to prove my loyalty back to me team and show that I wanted to keep my ball rolling at a great pace. I was given the chance to go to south Florida and I always said the best thing for me is a great environment to keep me right in mind, body, and soul. So that was a real blessing, and he came into my life at the right time, and it was a mutual understanding to part ways. 

“We all have stuff going on. The brain is so complex you don’t really take time to sit with it and understand it. Boxing is the loneliest sport in the world so we’re dealing with something that’s so high level, putting your life on the line for a living. You are out there to be judged in front of a crowd, your heart on your sleeve and showing your art to the world, and your physical health is attached to that. 

“If you don’t learn how to manage that it’s so easy to fall into depression and things like that, so I love when athletes, especially boxers, open up and talk about it because acceptance is the first step to heal anything. People can think pushing things to one side and acting like nothing is wrong is the way to go, but it’s not at all and it pushes you to breaking point. 

“It can be liberating, that’s how I feel now, because everybody knows me, to say ‘I’m not perfect’. I’m myself, I trust myself. I know what I need to do next, and I feel the confidence and courage to follow your dreams and be the author of your own book is the scariest thing to do, but the most fulfilling.”

Williams’ clash with Conway is part of a huge night of action in Vegas, topped by the epic trilogy battle between Canelo and Golovkin.

The co-main fight stars Super-Flyweight sensation Jesse Rodriguez defending his WBC World title against Israel Gonzalez, there’s fireworks promised as Ali Akhmedov and Gabriel Rosado will clash for the IBF North American Super-Middleweight title and Diego Pacheco fights for his first belt as he meets EnriqueCollazo for the WBC USNBC Silver Super-Middleweight title. 

Three more young talents complete the stacked card, as Marc Castro appears on his fifth Canelo undercard against Kevin Montiel Mendoza, Aaron Aponte mixes it up against Canelo Promotions’ unbeaten prospect Fernando Molina also over eight and Anthony Herrera gets the chance to bounce back to winning ways on the biggest stage as he takes on Delvin McKinley.

All that action leads into the third installment of the classic modern rivalry between Canelo and Golovkin, with the Mexican king putting his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown on the line against Kazakhstan’s reigning WBA and IBF Middleweight ruler in the most anticipated match up of 2022.

Jesse Rodriguez is relishing his role as the co-main attraction to the trilogy blockbuster between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night, as he makes his second defense of his WBC World Super-Flyweight title against Israel Gonzalez.
 
The event, presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan). 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW VIA AXS.COM
Rodriguez (16-0 11 KOs) has enjoyed a stellar first half of the year, starting by becoming the youngest active World champion in February, stepping in late to meet Carlos Cuadras for the vacant WBC strap in Phoenix and then putting on a stunning display in his first defense, stopping Thai star Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on his San Antonio home turf in June inside eight rounds.

Those performances saw the San Antonio talent named as ESPN’s Fighter of the Year in their midyear boxing awards, and while ‘Bam’ spoke of his pride at the honor, he’s determined to show that there is much more to come in his calendar.

The 22 year old has lofty ambitions to unify divisions and win crowns at multiple weights, and says that meeting Gonzalez (28-4-1 11 KOs) on the biggest stage he’s performed on to date will only shine a bigger light on his limitless potential.

“I don’t feel pressure because I feel I was born for this,” said Rodriguez. “I belong on these big stages, it’s where I feel comfortable. Headlining in San Antonio, co-main to Canelo-GGG III, this is where I want to be, it’s been part of the plan and it’s great to see it play out. There’s expectation on me, all eyes are on me, I know that I need to perform at my best but that excites me. 

“Canelo is the face of boxing so to be the curtain raiser for that fight is amazing, so many fans are going to be able to see what I can do. I’m only 22 so to be doing the things that I am doing, beating Carlos and Rungvisai, two of the four kings at Super-Fly, I never look back and feel I need to appreciate what I do, but I do downplay what I do because I’m a humble guy.

“I’m right where I need to be, it’s just the beginning and the sky is the limit for me. I can’t tell you how far I can go because I don’t know how to stop. I want to be one of those fighters that 20 years from now, people say; ‘remember Bam Rodriguez, he was a bad dude’. One of those legends.

“I feel like I’m getting the recognition that I deserve, and Saturday is the perfect platform to show everybody that I am the real deal.”

Rodriguez’s clash with Gonzalez is part of a huge night of action in Vegas, topped by the epic trilogy battle between Canelo and Golovkin.

Fireworks are promised as Ali Akhmedov and Gabriel Rosado will clash for the IBF North American Super-Middleweight title, Diego Pacheco fights for his first belt as he meets Enrique Collazo for the WBC USNBC Silver Super-Middleweight title, Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams fights for his second pro title as he takes on Kieron Conway for the vacant WBA International Middleweight title.

Three more young talents complete the stacked card, as Marc Castro appears on his fifth Canelo undercard against Kevin Montiel Mendoza, Aaron Aponte mixes it up against Canelo Promotions’ unbeaten prospect Fernando Molina also over eight and Anthony Herrera gets the chance to bounce back to winning ways on the biggest stage as he takes on Delvin McKinley.

All that action leads into the third installment of the classic modern rivalry between Canelo and Golovkin, with the Mexican king putting his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown on the line against Kazakhstan’s reigning WBA and IBF Middleweight ruler in the most anticipated match up of 2022.

Diego Pacheco is ready to deliver on the big stage again – and does so on the undercard of a he goes for his first title against Enrique Collazo on the undercard of the trilogy clash between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night (September 17).
 
The event, presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan). 
 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW VIA AXS.COM
Pacheco (15-0 12 KOs) has been imperious in the paid ranks and after winning his first ten round contest by forcing Raul Ortega to retire after four rounds in Guadalajara in June, and now meets Collazo for the vacant WBC USNBC Silver strap in his first bout with a belt on the line.

Canelo is the king of the Super-Middleweight division, and this is the second time that Pacheco has fought on the undercard of the Mexican superstar in February 2021 in Miami. Alvarez employed Pacheco for sparring ahead of his clash with Briton Callum Smith in December 2020 due to their similar size, and Pacheco impressed the champion, who’s trilogy clash with fierce foe Golovkin has special significance for Pacheco.

“On the date of Canelo-GGG II, that’s the day that I signed my contract with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom,” said Pacheco. “This has brought back so many memories and I’m honored to be on the card. I’m so grateful for where I am, and I just want to make the most of these opportunities. 

“I was part of Canelo’s camp for the Callum Smith fight in San Antonio, and I was meant to be on the undercard too, but I got sick in the build-up. I got in trouble too because I didn’t want to tell anyone at first that I was sick because I really wanted to fight on the card, but I could have got Canelo sick and COVID was around then so I had to stop training and I couldn’t fight. So, it’s great to be here now.

“Canelo is so strong. Even blocking or parrying his jabs, you can feel the power, his hands are like rocks. I was told I was only going to spar three rounds with Canelo, but then after three I was looking good, and I was moving well, and it was good for him, so it was ‘let’s do one more’ and ‘let’s do one more’. 

“We did six rounds and then I went back in again, so that made me feel good and working with David Benavidez is great for me, I’m doing lots of rounds with him and it’s all boosting my confidence. I’m a big GGG fan but I think that Canelo takes the third one.”

Pacheco’s clash with Collazo is part of a huge night of action in Vegas, topped by the epic trilogy battle between Canelo and Golovkin.

The co-main fight stars Super-Flyweight sensation Jesse Rodriguez defending his WBC World title against Israel Gonzalez, there’s fireworks promised as Ali Akhmedov and Gabriel Rosado will clash for the IBF North American Super-Middleweight title and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams fights for his second pro title as he takes on Kieron Conway for the vacant WBA International Middleweight title.

Three more young talents complete the stacked card, as Marc Castro appears on his fifth Canelo undercard against Kevin Montiel Mendoza, Aaron Aponte mixes it up against Canelo Promotions’ unbeaten prospect Fernando Molina also over eight and Anthony Herrera gets the chance to bounce back to winning ways on the biggest stage as he takes on Delvin McKinley.

All that action leads into the third installment of the classic modern rivalry between Canelo and Golovkin, with the Mexican king putting his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown on the line against Kazakhstan’s reigning WBA and IBF Middleweight ruler in the most anticipated match up of 2022.

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (Sept. 12, 2022) — The super middleweight edition of Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin’s Big Drama Show debuts Saturday evening, live on DAZN PPV (https://www.dazn.com/en-US/welcome) from T-Mobile Arena, against the undisputed World Super Middleweight Champion and arch rival  Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, in the long-awaited third fight of their triloGGGy.  It’s the type of challenge Golovkin has always relished and pursued, champion vs. champion.  Now, in this third fight with Canelo, he has one-stop shopping to finally become an undisputed champion, which would be a historic highlight in a career made up of historic highlights.

            “This fight is important for the sport.  It rewards fans and creates new fans.  It is the biggest fight in boxing and certainly the biggest fight of our trilogy.” said Golovkin.  “This is the type of fight that makes boxing grow.  Trilogies are historic and I am excited to be part of one.  It is amazing.  It means that the first two fights were so good that we were in demand and the fans wanted to see us fight each other again.  I made a lot of concessions to Canelo to keep this fight intact because I have always wanted this third fight.  I would never give up a championship belt or move to a different weight class to avoid an opponent.  And while four years is too long between the last fight and this one, I am relieved Canelo did not wait until I was 50 to agree to a third fight because, for awhile, it seemed that was a strong possibility.”          

            History is nothing new to middleweight legend Golovkin.  One of the marquee fighters of his era, he has been rewriting the storied division’s record book throughout his career.  He holds the division record for total title defenses and consecutive title defenses.  Golovkin’s Big Drama Show is built on a base of crushing power, continuous pressure, and masterful offense.  The Guinness Book of Records certified his knockout percentage as the highest for any middleweight, which also explains why he has been one of the most avoided fighters of his era.  Since 2010, there hasn’t been a year when he wasn’t wearing a middleweight world championship belt.  Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs), from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, is a model of consistency, discipline, hard work, and excellence.  In short, he’s a winner.                

            A restless fighter constantly in search of new worlds to conquer and new fans to fight in front of, Golovkin has never allowed himself to be confined by geography or the business of boxing.  Rather, he has been defined by his willingness to take on the biggest challenges available anywhere in the world.  While most champions look for the friendly confines of a hometown or home country venue or a city where they enjoy “most favored nation status,” Golovkin, who hasn’t fought in his native Kazakhstan in 12 years, has fought in eight different countries since winning his first world title in 2010.  Golovkin’s Big Drama Show has packed iconic arenas around the world, selling out Madison Square Garden, The O2 in London, the Fabulous Forum and StubHub Center in the Los Angeles area, and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  True to form, his most recent fight was in Japan on April 4, one day after celebrating his 40th birthday, where Golovkin once again became the unified middleweight champion by knocking out  Japan’s national hero and WBA Super World Middleweight Champion Ry?ta Murata in the ninth-round.  The fans in the sold-out Saitama Super Arena, located near Tokyo, gave Golovkin a standing ovation when the referee raised his hand in victory.  It is one of the many reasons for his global popularity and proof that the appeal of the Big Drama Show has no boundaries and plays in any language.

            Which brings us to Saturday’s epic fight between world champions.  Their two previous fights were all-action high octane middleweight championship battles, both going the 12-round distance, with the vast majority of ringside observers and fans agreeing that Golovkin should still be undefeated.  Four years in the making, despite both fights earning live gates in excess of $27 and $23 million, respectively, placing them No. 3 and No. 4 on Nevada’s all-time list, and each one attracting over one million pay-per-view buys in the U.S. alone, the third fight of their trilogy is finally upon us.  And while the fight is again at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, that is one of the few constants of this trilogy.  For the first time in his professional career, Golovkin will be in a world title fight outside his familiar home in the middleweight division.  The other new facet will be a different trainer from the first two Canelo fights — Johnathon Banks, a Kronk Gym alumnus and a protégé of the legendary trainer Emanuel Steward.  This will be the fifth, and certainly most important fight for the GGG-Banks tandem.  

            “Johnathon has added the traditions of the Kronk Gym to my training.  He has opened a different world to me,” said Golovkin.  “Johnathon has not changed my style of fighting but has added weapons to my arsenal.  I had the honor of knowing Emanuel Steward.  Johnathon brought his memorable experience of Kronk to me.  It has been my privilege for Johnathon to share that with me.  With Johnathon behind me, it does not matter who is in front of me.  I trust him completely.”   .

            “This is our fifth fight together.  We have been building on what Gennadiy has learned while incorporating what made him so special as an amateur, working on the basics — timing, rhythm, and speed,” said Banks.  “In boxing, to remain at the elite level, you either evolve or die.  He’s not depending solely on power punching.  I still remember sitting with Emanuel Steward at amateur tournaments and both of us marveling at Gennadiy’s all-round abilities inside the ring.  He was an extraordinary power-punching boxer.  He could do anything he wanted.  Even at 40, he still approaches training like he’s a young and hungry top-rated contender.  He is all smiles and always the first one in the gym.  He really enjoys training and it shows in his work ethic and the results.  He is a fast study and an eager student.  He has an incredible thirst to learn new things.  Gennadiy is an athlete’s athlete.  And while 40 may be the new 30, thanks to the science of nutrition and strength and conditioning, come Saturday night, 40 may also be the new World Super Middleweight Champion.”   

#     #     #

GGG MEDIA CENTRAL – FIGHT WEEK MONDAY EDITION

• Gennadiy Golovkin is ready to finally put Canelo Alvarez down in trilogy conclusion – New York Daily News (nydailynews.com)
• Golovkin: Canelo Saying He Lost A Couple Rounds To Bivol Shows He Has Lost Touch With Reality – Boxing News (boxingscene.com)
• Gennadiy Golovkin expecting ‘different’ Canelo Alvarez (nypost.com)
• Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin Talks Canelo Alvarez, Whether He’ll Retire After Their Third Fight (forbes.com)
• Golovkin not carrying past results into trilogy fight with Alvarez | Reuters
• GGG interview w/ Teddy Atlas – Canelo Trilogy, Fight Strategy, Training Camp, & More – YouTube 
• Gennadiy Golovkin believes Canelo Alvarez shows ‘true face’ with words (fansided.com)
• Big Fight Weekend: Adorno Victory In Atlantic City + Dan 1 On 1 With Gennadiy Golovkin | Fight Freaks Unite Recap on Apple Podcasts
• Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez went from friendly sparring partners to bitter enemies as trilogy bout awaits rivals | The Sun
• Gennadiy Golovkin not done throwing jabs in the ring or at Canelo Alvarez – Orange County Register (ocregister.com)
• Gennadiy Golovkin AKA GGG speaks to Gareth A Davies in episode 13 of Championship Rounds – YouTube
• Clobberin’ Time, Ep. 4: Gennadiy Golovkin previews Canelo Alvarez trilogy boxing fight, Fury vs. Joshua, and Paul vs. Silva | Sporting News
• GGG rips Canelo Alvarez in prep for trilogy in Las Vegas | Las Vegas Review-Journal (reviewjournal.com)
• Gennadiy Golovkin says Canelo Alvarez got a reality check with Bivol loss – YouTube
• GGG Trainer Johnathon Banks Interview w/Teddy Atlas on Canelo Camp | Commey Pedraza Draw | Andy Ruiz vs Luis Ortiz – YouTube
• Robert Littal Speaks to GGG’s Trainer Johnathon Banks on If Age Will Play a Factor in Fight Against Canelo – BlackSportsOnline
• Johnathon Banks brings Kronk Gym magic to Gennadiy Golovkin (fansided.com)
• Trainer Banks predicts violence ahead of Golovkin’s third bout with Canelo – The Ring (ringtv.com)
• Tris Dixon’s Boxing Life Stories / Season 4: #42 Johnathan Banks (audioboom.com)
• Golovkin disappointed with Canelo after promotional tour: ‘he hasn’t grown up as a professional athlete’ – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
• ‘GGG’ Trainer Johnathon Banks: We Won’t Use Dmitry Bivol’s Fight Plan to Attack Canelo Alvarez – Los Angeles Times Espanol (latimes.com)
• Canelo is far from the best, says Gennady Golovkin | The New Herald (elnuevoherald.com)
• My talk with Golovkin (eluniversal.com.mx)

By Norm Frauenheim–

Canelo Alvarez is fighting for Mexicans, but not against Mexicans.

That, at least, was the message he intended this week during a media workout for his approaching date with Gennadiy Golovkin on Sept. 17 in a third fight.

“I don’t want to fight Mexicans,’’ Canelo said. “I represent Mexico.’’

The comment to USA Today at his training camp in San Diego generated questions, if not exasperation, especially among fans who might be reaching into their closets to dust off old caps with the GGG logo done in Mexico’s green-white-and-red colors.

Canelo was responding to a question about whether he would fight fellow Mexican Gilberto “Zurdo’’ Ramirez if Ramirez beat cruiserweight champion Dmitry Bivol. On the scale of tough questions, this one wasn’t intended to be confrontational. It was a softball.

After all, Bivol beat Canelo. If Ramirez can do what Canelo could not, why not go straight to Ramirez in a fight that would be a Mexican blockbuster? It’s simple. Sensible. It also would be a further step toward an initial measure of redemption for Canelo after his stunning May loss to Bivol. He could beat the man who beat him.

What’s more, this is boxing. Not politics. It’s not as if Canelo is running for office. He’s only trying to get back into the pound-for-pound debate. The road back begins with an interesting fight against a bitter rival in a second rematch that could restore the historical momentum he had before the Bivol defeat.

He made the comment, of course, simply because he can. Follow the money. In the boxing business, that means follow Canelo. His minimum wage against Bivol was $15 million, plus a reported 70 percent of pay-per-view sales. He’s the draw, undisputed in every way. That figures to continue, especially if he’s able to make a statement with a definitive victory over GGG. Betting odds suggest that will happen.

Canelo is favored, minus-600, which puts his probability of victory at 85.5 percent. That’s one-sided enough to think that a knockout is likely. For Canelo, a stoppage is almost mandatory.

It would serve as the final punctuation to the skepticism that has circulated for years about the first two fights.

The first bout at middleweight was judged a split draw in September 2017. A year later, the second bout, also at middleweight, was judged to be a Canelo victory by the narrowest of margins. He won a majority decision.

But there was no end to the debate. It has raged on and at a level that forced a third fight. For whatever reason, the third is way past its due date. Still, it’s interesting, because the final say-so goes to the victor.

On paper, Canelo has all the advantages. At 32, he’s eight-years younger than the 40-year old GGG. He’s at his most comfortable weight, 168-pounds. GGG is moving up the scale. All the elements for Canelo to make a definitive statement are in place.

But he’s complicated it with his comments about not wanting to fight a fellow Mexican. Those words could create additional pressure. Suddenly, Canelo has a lot to prove. To himself. And to his fans.

He’s fighting to put some distance between himself and the Bivol loss. He’s also fighting an old rival, one who created his own niche among Mexican-American fans in Southern California before his first bout with Canelo.

In much of the pre-fight hype, GGG looks and sounds comfortable about his role.

“Many Mexicans love me and nobody in Kazakhstan loves Canelo,” GGG, a Kazak living in southern California, said a couple of weeks ago.

He has little to lose. He knows he’s close to retirement, and he’s said so.  An old warhorse, he still knows his way around the ring. It’s not clear how Canelo will react in his first fight after a one-sided loss to Bivol.

A tentative Canelo creates opportunities for GGG.

So, too, does a careless Canelo, whose recent comments create a potential distraction, one he can’t afford at a moment when he’s fighting to retain his pound-for-pound relevancy and his pay-per-view marketability.

Las Vegas (August 17, 2022) – 4-Division world champion and Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez has confirmed that he will appear at the Sixth Annual Box Fan Expo on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo will also coincide with the mega trilogy fight between Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin, that will take place later that evening at the T-Mobile Arena.

Marquez will hold a Meet & Greet with his fans at his booth during the fan event held over

the Mexican Independence Day weekend.

The Box Fan Expo is an annual fan event that coincides with some of the sports’ legendary, classic fights in Las Vegas, including Mayweather vs. Maidana II, Mayweather vs. Berto, Canelo vs. Chavez Jr., Canelo vs. GGG II, and Canelo vs. Jacobs. Centered in boxing’s longtime home – Las Vegas – this year’s Expo is a must-do for fight fans coming in for this legendary weekend, with dozens of professional fighters, promoters, and companies involved in the boxing industry. The Expo is the largest and only Boxing Fan Expo held in the United States. http://boxfanexpo.com – @BoxFanExpo

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –https://bit.ly/BOXFANEXPO2022

Marquez will make his third appearance at this years’ Expo and will be signing gloves, photos, personal items and memorabilia. Marquez will also have merchandise on sale at his booth, and fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures with this boxing legend also known as “Dinamita”

Marquez joins Michael Spinks, Franchón Crews-Dezurn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Rolando Romero, Jose Ramírez, David Benavidez, Shawn Porter, Jessie Vargas and Erik Morales as an early commitment to this year’s Box Fan Expo, with more Boxing stars to be announced.

About Juan Manuel Marquez

Marquez is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2014. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the class of 2020. Marquez is the third Mexican boxer (after Erik Morales and Jorge Arce) to become a world champion in four weight classes, having held nine world championships including the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO featherweight titles between 2003 and 2007; the WBC super featherweight title from 2007 to 2008; the WBA (Super), WBO, Ring magazine and lineal lightweight titles between 2008 and 2012; and the WBO junior welterweight title from 2012 to 2013. In a career that spanned over twenty years, Marquez was known for being a fast and highly technical boxer who was exceptionally skilled at combinations and counterpunches, yet also willing to engage in slugfests with opponents. He was also credited for his toughness, and never lost a fight by stoppage. His most notable bouts include his four-fight saga with Manny Pacquiao and his fight against fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. Marquez is considered to be one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time, and is ranked by BoxRec as the 30th greatest boxer of all time, as well as second best Mexican fighter of all time, pound for pound. In 2008, The Ring ranked him as the world’s second-best active boxer, pound for pound.

About Box Fan Expo

Box Fan Expo is the ultimate boxing fan experience event, which allows fans to meet the stars of boxing that represent the past, present and future of the sport. With hosted autograph signings, meet-and-greets with current and former boxing world champions, limited edition merchandise for sale, giveaways and more, this is the ultimate event for fans of the sport.

Past boxing stars that have participated include: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Andre Ward, Mikey Garcia, Marcos Maidana, Devin Haney, David Benavidez, Errol Spence Jr, Sergio Martinez, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Tim Bradley, Deontay Wilder, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter, Fernando Vargas, Abner Mares, James Toney, Jessie Vargas, Vinny Paz, Mia St.John, Leo Santa Cruz, Badou Jack, Terry Norris, Riddick Bowe, Earnie Shavers, Michael & Leon Spinks, Danny Jacobs, Claressa Shields, Teofimo Lopez, Brandon Rios, Jorge Linares, and many more.

Exhibitors include boxing promoters, gear, apparel, equipment, energy drinks, supplement products, broadcasting media, sanctioning bodies, and other companies who showcase their brand to fans and the boxing industry as a whole.

Throughout the next several weeks leading up to the Event, there will be weekly updates on the many stars that will commit their appearance at the Boxing Expo

.

Tickets to the Box Fan Expo are available at Eventbrite –

To request information on exhibiting and sponsorship at the Expo:

For media credentials:

Contact us:

Telephone number: (702) 997-1927 or (514) 572-7222

For any inquiries please email: [email protected]

More information on Box Fan Expo visit: http://www.boxfanexpo.com

Follow Box Fan Expo on Twitter and Instagram at: @BoxFanExpo

Follow Box Fan Expo on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BoxFanExpo

Marc Castro, Aaron Aponte and Anthony Herrera will all take the latest steps in their pro journeys on the biggest stage of all as they complete the undercard to the trilogy clash between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin. The event, presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan). 

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Castro (7-0 5 KOs) appears on his fifth Canelo undercard since making his debut in December 2020, and the former amateur standout will meet Kevin Montiel Mendoza in his first bout over eight rounds. Castro steps through the ropes for the third time this year with a pair of points wins over six rounds already in the bag and will be tested by Mexican Mendoza (6-1-2 3 KOs) whose CV includes a split-draw with Otha Jones III.

Aponte (6-0 2 KOs) is also lacing them up for the third time in 2022, and ‘The Alien King’ is ready to mix it up against Canelo Promotions’ unbeaten prospect Fernando Molina. Aponte, who penned a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in January, will look to add a seventh win in the paid ranks in his first eight round round clash with Molina (8-0 3 KOs), the 20 year old Mexican who also has a pair of wins over six this year.

Herrera (2-0-1 2 KOs) gets the chance to bounce back to winning ways on the biggest stage as he takes on Delvin McKinley. Herrera was held to a draw in his last outing in Mexico against the spirited Kennyn Valenzuela, and the Manny Robles trained talent is eager to get back on track in Sin City. McKinley (4-3-1 4 KOs) will have other ideas though, and the 26 year old comes into the bout having taken Olympic bronze medal man Nico Hernandez the distance earlier this month.

The trio of talent completes a stacked undercard on September 17, led by a co-main fight starring Super-Flyweight sensation Jesse Rodriguez defending his WBC World title against Israel Gonzalez.

Fireworks are promised as Ali Akhmedov and Gabriel Rosado will clash for the IBF North American Super-Middleweight title, Diego Pacheco fights for his first pro belt when he meets Enrique Collazo for the WBC USNBC Silver Super-Middleweight title and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams taking on Kieron Conway for the vacant WBA International Middleweight title, all leading into the third installment of the classic modern rivalry between Canelo and Golovkin, with the Mexican king putting his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown on the line against Kazakhstan’s reigning WBA and IBF Middleweight ruler in the most anticipated match up of 2022.

“This is a great opportunity for three talented young men to strut their stuff on the biggest stage of all,” said Hearn. “Marc, Aaron and Anthony will be soaking up the packed build-up and buzzing fight week in Las Vegas before putting their skills on display as part of a brilliant card on September 17 that is full of great fighters and clashes that promise drama, before we hit a main event that the world will stand still for.”

Ali Akhmedov and Gabriel Rosado will clash for the IBF North American Super-Middleweight title on Saturday September 17 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of the undercard to the trilogy clash between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin. The event, presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan).

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Akhmedov (18-1 14 KOs), promoted by GGG Promotions, bagged a pair of wins inside the distance in 2021 in California to get his path to major title fights back on track after suffering a final round KO defeat to Carlos Gongora in their clash for the IBO strap in December 2020.

That was Akhmedov’s third fight on a card topped by his fellow countryman, promoter and Kazakh legend Golovkin, and the big hitting 27 year old will be looking to use the biggest of stages to impress against the Philly star.

Rosado (26-15-1 15 KOs) enjoyed thrilling success against his last eastern European foe, landing a knockout of the year contender when he landed a stunning right hook to demolish the unbeaten Uzbek rising star Bektemir Melikuziev in the third round of their clash in El Paso in June 2021.

Rosado who boxed GGG for the World Middleweight title in January 2013, has tangled with two contenders in his recent bouts, being edged out via majority decision by Shane Mosley Jr in April after taking Jaime Munguia the distance in November – making this a must-win for the 36 year old.

“I’m happy to be a part of this show on DAZN PPV,” said Akhmedov. “It is a great opportunity for me to demonstrate my skills, especially against such seasoned opponent as Gabriel Rosado.  Rosado is very experienced and has a history of fighting the best talents in this division which motivates me even more.”

“I’m looking forward to being a part of one of the biggest fight cards of the year,” said Rosado. “This is an opportunity to do what I did against Bektemir and put myself right back in world title contention!”

“I am very happy for Ali that his next fight will be on DAZN PPV,” said Golovkin. “And it will be a title fight. It gives Ali an opportunity to show everything he’s capable of and make a great impression. As his promoter I have a lot of confidence in Ali and I believe the time has come for him to make a name for himself.”

“This fight will be like a 4th of July,” said Rosado’s trainer Johnathon Banks. “It will be full of fireworks with youth vs experience.”

Akhmedov’s clash with Rosado is the latest addition to the stacked undercard for September 17, led by a co-main fight starring Super-Flyweight sensation Jesse Rodriguez defending his WBC World title against Israel Gonzalez.

Diego Pacheco fights for his first pro belt when he meets Enrique Collazo for the WBC USNBC Silver Super-Middleweight title and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams taking on Kieron Conway for the vacant WBA International Middleweight title, all leading into the third installment of the classic modern rivalry between Canelo and Golovkin, with the Mexican king putting his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown on the line against Kazakhstan’s reigning WBA and IBF Middleweight ruler in the most anticipated match up of 2022.

Jesse Rodriguez says he feels ‘thankful’ to be named as the Fighter of the Year by ESPN in their midyear awards for 2022 – but the WBC World Super-Flyweight champion is not resting on his laurels and continue his sensational year when he defends his title against Israel Gonzalez on Saturday September 17 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, as co-main event to the trilogy clash between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin. The event, presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan).

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Rodriguez (16-0 11 KOs) has enjoyed a stellar first half of the year, starting by becoming the youngest active World champion in February, stepping in late to meet Carlos Cuadras for the vacant WBC strap in Phoenix and then putting on a stunning display in his first defense, stopping Thai star Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on his San Antonio home turf in June inside eight rounds.

‘Bam’ extended his promotional pact with Eddie Hearn following the win over Rungivisai, and now defends his title for the second time against Mexican Gonzalez (28-4-1 11 KOs), who challenges for World honors for the fourth time in his career.

Rodriguez has begun camp at home and will relocate to Robert Garcia’s California base when his trainer and manager returns from masterminding Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on August 20. The 21 year old is ready to thrill on the biggest of stages on September 17, and believes it could be the next step in securing Fighter of the Year awards across the board.

“I’m so thankful to be named ESPN’s fighter of the year,” said Rodriguez. “My hard work and dedication to the sport is paying off. That is why I’m able to perform the way I have been. There’s so much more to come and I can’t wait. 

“I’ll be starting my camp in San Antonio for this next fight. I’ll be here for three weeks then finish up in Riverside at Robert Garcia Boxing Academy. Fighting so soon, I feel like I haven’t lost a beat. I’m still in rhythm and I’ll be more than ready for Las Vegas.

“The way people have been saying I’m front runner for Fighter of the Year is motivation to get the job done. It’s a blessing to even be mentioned with some of the greatest boxers in the sport. But come September 17, there will be no question who it belongs to.”

Rodriguez’s achievement was one of many as Matchroom fighters and events dominated ESPN’s midyear awards. Irish superstar Katie Taylor was named female fighter of the year following her victory over Amanda Serrano in their epic battle at Madison Square Garden in New York in April which landed female fight of the year nod. Leigh Wood’s dramatic final round KO win over Jamie Conlan in Nottingham in March earned the WBA Featherweight king the KO of the year and the battle was awarded men’s fight of the year, while Dmitry Bivol’s triumph over Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas in May took the gong for upset of the year.

Rodriguez’s clash with Gonzalez is part of a stacked night of action in Las Vegas, as Diego Pacheco fights for his first pro belt when he meets Enrique Collazo for the WBC USNBC Silver Super-Middleweight title and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams taking on Kieron Conway for the vacant WBA International Middleweight title, all leading into the third installment of the classic modern rivalry between Canelo and Golovkin, with the Mexican king putting his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown on the line against Kazakhstan’s reigning WBA and IBF Middleweight ruler in the most anticipated match up of 2022.

Diego Pacheco has extended his promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom and will fight for his first pro title when he meets Enrique Collazo for the WBC USNBC Silver Super-Middleweight title on the undercard of the trilogy clash between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday September 17. The event, presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions, will broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View in the U.S. and Canada as well as around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan).

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Pacheco (15-0 12 KOs) has been a revelation in the paid ranks, cruising to 15-0 and ending 12 of those fights inside the distance since turning pro in December 2018. 

The 21 year old has already recorded two wins inside four rounds in 2022, with his last outing in June in Mexico his first over ten rounds, and now the rangy talent gets another first with a belt on the line in his second battle over ten.

In the opposite corner stands Collazo (16-2-1 11 KOs) the 2012 Olympian and six-time Puerto Rican National champion. The 33 year old also fights for his first title in Las Vegas and both men are excited to get the chance to land their first hardware on a blockbuster night in Sin City.

“I am very excited to be extending my promotional deal with Matchroom because they’ve done a great job working with me as a prospect and now it’s time to get into the contender’s conversation,” said Pacheco. “On September 17, I will be showing everyone once again that I am here to stay.”

“Very excited and grateful for the opportunity to fight on this card,” said Collazo. “It’s going to be another historic fight between Puerto Rico vs Mexico. Proud to be representing my Island and I am very confident I will win this fight.”

“I am delighted that Diego has committed his future to Matchroom,” said Hearn. “Diego has taken to the pro game so well and on September 17, he takes the next step with his first title fight.

“Enrique will provide a stiff examination, but I believe Diego will show what we see in him – a future World champion and a young man that will begin climbing the rankings in the second half of the year and be hot on the heels of the contenders at 168lbs.”

Pacheco’s clash with Collazo is the latest bout to be added to the huge Vegas bill, with Super-Flyweight sensation Jesse Rodriguez will defend his WBC World title against Israel Gonzalez as the co-main event and Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams taking on Kieron Conway for the vacant WBA International Middleweight title, all leading into the third installment of the classic modern rivalry between Canelo and Golovkin, with the Mexican king putting his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown on the line against Kazakhstan’s reigning WBA and IBF Middleweight ruler in the most anticipated match up of 2022.

By Norm Frauenheim –

It’s a fantasy.

That, at least, is how David Benavidez’ promoter described talk about any chance at a fight with Canelo Alvarez in the wake of Benavidez’ very real beatdown of David Lemieux.

“Quit fantasizing,’’ Sampson Lewkowicz told media about an hour after a violent third-round stoppage of Lemieux at a National Hockey League arena about seven miles from where Benavidez grew up in Phoenix. “There’s no way that Canelo is going to fight the People’s Champ.’’

There no quit in fantasy, however, especially after a dominant exhibition from 25-year-old super-middleweight that got a roaring crowd and Showtime audience fantasizing about just how good Benavidez might be a year, or two, from now.

Put it this way: A little bit of fantasy is a pretty good place to start thinking about negotiations. It’s also a subtle step away from the frustration that has dogged Benavidez throughout his noisy pursuit of a rich date with Canelo.

Benavidez’ victory over Lemieux a week ago at Gila River Arena in Glendale AZ was no surprise. The brave Lemieux, a former middleweight champion, was overmatched in every way. But Benavidez exceeded expectations. The bout was meant to showcase his potential. He did that and more. The clever Lewkowicz called him a People’s Champ. The Lemieux performance was full of more reasons to think he will be one. He’s getting social-media clicks. He’s doing numbers at the box office.

That’s more than fantasy. It’s momentum, which is something Canelo is trying to regain.

This week, Canelo decided to fight Gennadiy Golovkin for a third time instead of an immediate rematch of his stunning decision loss to light-heavyweight Dmitry Bivol.

GGG was a business move, not surprising in the wake of disappointing reports about the DAZN numbers for the pay-per-view telecast of Canelo-Bivol on May 7. The PPV reports varied, but they fell nearly 300,000 short of the PPV sales — reported to be about 800,000 — for Canelo’s victory over Caleb Plant. Plant an American, was – still is — better known than the skilled Bivol, a mostly-unknown Russian.

GGG is 40. His skillset might have eroded, but his name recognition has not. People still know him for his first two fights with Canelo, both debatable. The first was a draw. The second was a majority decision, won by Canelo.

Now, questions follow Canelo as he goes into a decisive third fight with GGG. Was the Bivol loss just a bad night? Was the move from 168 pounds to 175 too much? Is he beginning to show signs of decline? They’ll all be there in September.

So, too, will Benavidez.

For now, Benavidez is first in line for Canelo. With the World Boxing Council’s so-called interim title, Benavidez is supposed to get a mandatory shot at Canelo, if and when the WBC ever orders the fight.

For the rest of this year, however, Benavidez-Canelo is fantasy. Lewkowicz is talking about Plant, Jarmall Charlo or David Morell, an emerging Cuban. perhaps in November. Whoever it is, it’s a fight that could further the fantasy. If Benavidez’ ascendancy continues, fans won’t quit thinking about it. More important, they won’t quit talking about it.

They’ll promote it in ways that Lewkowicz can’t. Could the fantasy become reality next year, say May 6 2023? It depends on Canelo’s performance against GGG. It depends on how Benavidez looks in November.

It also depends on whether Canelo in fact fights Bivol for a second time. He said this week he will. Maybe, a third GGG bout is a steppingstone toward regaining momentum and his pound-for-pound status.

But Benavidez believes that Canelo can’t ever beat Bivol. He says Canelo would lose a rematch. Then what?

“Then, he’s got nowhere to go,’’ Benavidez said before he bulldozed Lemieux. “He’ll have to come back down to 168.

That means me.’’

Fantasy meets reality

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin will meet in an epic trilogy clash on September 17. Canelo vs. GGG III will be live on DAZN Pay Per View in the U.S. and Canada and around the world on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan) and is presented by Matchroom, Canelo Promotions and GGG Promotions.
 
Alvarez dared to be great once again in his last outing but was edged out by WBA World Light-Heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. Now the focus switched back to Super-Middleweight where he will defend his undisputed title against the Kazakh king, who campaigns at the weight for the first time in his storied career.
 
Alvarez and Golovkin have shared 24 thrilling rounds already in this hottest of rivalries and the pair will meet for a third time, five years after their first battle ended in a controversial draw and then the Mexican star edging out Golovkin via majority decision.
 
Both fights took place in the T-Mobile Arena, and while a venue for the trilogy bout will be revealed soon, what is in no doubt is that it will be the hottest ticket in sport when these two foes dance for the third and decisive time.
 
“I feel very happy and proud to be able to give the best fights and this fight won’t be an exception,” said Canelo.
 
“I hope to see you on September 17,” said Golovkin.
 
“Let’s push ahead without going backwards,” said Eddy Reynoso. “A Mexican never surrenders, let’s push forward.
 
“The Canelo vs. GGG trilogy is the biggest fight in boxing and I am delighted to get this made for September 17,” said Eddie Hearn. “These are two men that bitterly dislike each other and want to end this incredible series with a blistering KO.
 
“I truly believe this will be the most thrilling fight between these two great champions and it will be fireworks from the first bell to the last man standing.”
 
“What a few weeks we have had on DAZN – the biggest women’s fight of all time, an absolute barn burner in Las Vegas, and now, the highly anticipated trilogy fight between the pound for pound King Saul Canelo Alvarez and one of the biggest names in the sport Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights, DAZN. “The last two fights between these two have been up there with the very best this century and we look forward to broadcasting it to fight fans live and worldwide on DAZN.”
 
Canelo vs. GGG III will be live on DAZN around on the world and on DAZN PPV in the U.S. and Canada. Excluded territories include Mexico, Latin America, and Kazakhstan. The blockbuster event is another mega addition to DAZN’s premium portfolio of live sports and original programming, including the world’s biggest leagues and competitions UEFA Champions League, UEFA Women’s Champions League, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A, and J.League.
 
About Matchroom Boxing
Matchroom Boxing is the world’s leading boxing promotional outfit putting on major stadium and arena shows across the globe. Headed up by boxing supremo Eddie Hearn, Matchroom has been among the world leaders in major boxing promotion and production for over a quarter of a century since its launch in 1987. With an unrivalled stable of world-class fighters, Matchroom’s unique expertise in promotion, staging and television productions cements its position as the No.1 promoter in the sport.

By Norm Frauenheim-

GLENDALE, Ariz. – For a few seconds, there was more to David Benavidez’ future than questions about Canelo Alvarez.

There was his son, Anthony, a toddler in the middle of an audience full of reporters at a boxing news conference.

Anthony giggled. Benavidez smiled, a sure sign that he knew why he was fighting. No question about that one.

The Canelo questions would soon follow. So, too, will another opening bell, this time against David Lemieux Saturday (Showtime 7 pm PT/10 pm ET) at Gila River, a National Hockey League arena about seven miles west of where he grew up in a tough neighborhood on Phoenix’s west side.

There weren’t too many real answers to the Canelo questions. Then again, there never are for Benavidez, who has been frustrated in his pursuit of a big money date with Canelo. The same questions were there the last time Benavidez was in town for a stoppage of Kyrone Davis in downtown Phoenix last November.

Lots has changed since then, of course. Canelo lost his aura of invincibility. Dmitry Bivol beat him. Anthony is walking. The last time Anthony was in Phoenix he was giving his daddy’s fans a fist bump from his stroller. He made his dad smile then, too.  A son’s giggle is a father’s motivation. Dad fights on. Maybe, there’s a date with Canelo in his future. Maybe, not.

The business of keeping that possibility – questions and all – in place, however, is Benavidez’ immediate task. The fight is for a so-called interim title, the World Boxing Council’s super-middleweight version. Interim, of course, can mean just about anything. Interim titles get bought out by step-aside money. Interim gets forgotten, almost by definition.

But this one comes with a mandatory – also so-called — challenge of the WBC’s current champion, which happens to still be Canelo, the 168-pound division’s unified champ. The belts weren’t at stake against Bivol in a light-heavyweight stunner a couple of weeks ago.  

A victory over Lemieux would also embellish Benavidez’ resume. Benavidez remembers watching Lemieux when he was a kid hanging out at Central Boxing near downtown Phoenix.

“He was the Canadian Mike Tyson,’’ Benavidez said Friday after a formal news conference in a room overlooking a floor that will include a ring instead of a rink Saturday.

Lemieux, of Montreal, has power, especially in his left hand. Lemieux, who lost his most notable fight by stoppage to Canelo rival Gennadiy Golovkin in 2015, is confident that Benavidez has never faced anybody with as much one-punch power.

“Of course not,’’ Lemieux said.

But Lemieux, a former middleweight champion, is moving up from his natural weight, 160 pounds, to 168. Benavidez (25-0, 22 KOs) is bigger in every measurable way. He’s also younger. Lemieux (43-4, 36 KOs) who has won his last five bouts, is 33. Benavidez is 25. The differences, in years and on the tape, explain the one-sided odds. Benavidez is about a 10-to-1 favorite. Yet, Lemieux’s documented power still looms as a factor.

“David Lemieux is the most dangerous fighter we’ve faced,’’ Benavidez father-and-trainer Jose Sr. said.

Still, David Benavidez is confident he has the skillset to deal with Lemieux’s power.

“It’s not like I’m going to go In there and try to test how strong my chin is,’’ he said. “We’ve worked hard in the gym, put together a plan to deal with his power. I definitely want to follow the game plan. I don’t care (if the KO) comes in the first, second, fifth or 12^th round. When it happens, it’ll happen.’’

Best guess: It’ll happen. It’s an element – documented power from both corners — that promises an explosive fight. That, too, is important for Benavidez’ larger resume. He’s pursuing more than just another victory. He wants to do something memorable against a fighter who can hurt him.

Translation: He wants to create a groundswell of support among a growing fanbase already restless for a showdown with Canelo. He’s more than a good dad. He’s a pugilist. And a populist.

Yet, there’s still a question whether any of it will ever lead to a date with Canelo. There’s even some disagreement about that within the Benavidez camp.

David Benavidez and his father think the loss to Bivol improves their chances at Canelo.

“I think it’s more likely now than it was,’’ said David, who learned enough about Bivol from sparring sessions a couple of years ago to know that the Russian had a real chance at beating Canelo. “Before Bivol, there was all this crazy stuff from Canelo about fighting at cruiserweight or even heavyweight. I think Canelo believed all that hype.

“But you’re not going to hear that any more. He’s going to have to come back down to 168 pounds. That means me.’’

But Benavidez promoter Sampson Lewkowicz thinks the chances at Canelo are less now than they were pre-Bivol. Canelo’s box-office value took a hit, Lewkowicz says. He also doesn’t think Canelo can restore it in a rematch. Bivol will beat him again, he says.

“There’s no $50 million out there for Canelo anymore,’’ Lewkowicz  said. “Will he fight for less? $30 million?  $20 million? $10 million? I don’t know. He might just walk away and decide to play golf.’’

A decision from Canelo is forthcoming. His current promoter, Eddie Hearn, says he expects Canelo to decide next week on whether he’ll fight an immediate rematch or go on to a third fight against Golovkin in September.

Whatever Canelo decides, there are still big opportunities for Benavidez. There’s Jermall Charlo and Caleb Plant. David Morrell has emerged as a possibility, too.

Benavidez will stay busy. A toddler’s giggle will make sure of it.

By Norm Frauenheim–

Canelo Alvarez has an opportunity. That sounds crazy, especially in the immediate aftermath of his loss to Dmitry Bivol. The wounds are still there. The pain lingers. He tried to hide some of it with dark glasses a couple of hours after the stunning defeat. Nobody could look into his beaten eyes.

But the bruises will heal. The pain will subside. That’s when he’ll see a chance to actually fulfill the history he always says he is seeking. Legacy is become kind of a bumper sticker, not just in boxing. Its value has been eroded, a little bit like title belts. Everybody has one.

But not everybody is confronted with the adversity that comes with defeat. It’s deeply personal, more in boxing than in any other sport. Egos can get busted up, just like jaws and noses, especially when a world-wide audience is watching.

The loss to Bivol wasn’t Canelo’s first. He’s been there, losing to a masterful Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September 2013. But that was a younger Canelo, an apprentice still learning the craft. It was also a fight few expected him to win.

Last Saturday, Canelo was considered the master. He was the favorite. The scorecard defeat to a mostly unknown Russian light-heavyweight had to be more painful, which is what transforms it into the sort of opportunity that will put some real substance into Canelo’s pursuit. For him, legacy isn’t just a word or another belt anymore.

It’s real.

Adversity defines boxing. People watch to see fighters get off the canvas. To see comebacks. There’s an inherent dilemma in all of this. Nobody seeks defeat. Mayweather retired unbeaten. So, did Rocky Marciano, Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe. So, did guys named Sven Ottke, Dmitry Pirog and Harry Simon. They’re all great fighters.

But the game amounts to a lot more than the 0 on the right side of the record. It’s about overcoming. It’s Ali coming back to beat Frazier. It’s Sugar Ray Leonard coming back to beat Roberto Duran. That’s history. Now, Canelo has a chance at some.

Late last Saturday at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, he wasn’t exactly clear about what he plans to do. His contract with Bivol included a clause for an immediate rematch. In the middle of the ring, Canelo said he would invoke the clause. A couple of hours later, he wasn’t sure.

“We’re gonna go to see what’s next, to talk about it,’’ he said.

Canelo will take his time. And he should. There’s plenty to consider. There’s a debate about his loss to Bivol, who displayed immense poise and smarts in front of roaring Cinco de Mayo crowd.

On the one hand, there’s an argument that Canelo took a risk in moving up the scale from super-middleweight to light-heavy. He failed. No shame there. Yet, questions about his tactics linger. There are also doubts about whether he took Bivol seriously.

Throughout the week before opening bell, there was talk about what Canelo would do after Bivol. Bivol was perceived as just another steppingstone. It got ridiculous. Even heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk was mentioned as a Canelo possibility. Everybody was buying into the hype, including me. I picked Canelo. I didn’t take Bivol serious and I’m not sure Canelo did. Yet, it become clear that Canelo didn’t have many plans beyond the first half of the fight against Bivol.

He went at the Russian, moving in a straight line throughout the first four rounds, as though he intended to bulldoze him they way he did Billy Joe Saunders. By now, we know it didn’t work. By the fifth round, there were signs that Canelo was fatigued. Earlier in his career, he had a habit of tiring late. He changed that with a more measured pace in the early moments, picking his spots and picking up the pace in the later rounds.

The argument is that Bivol beats Canelo again, that Canelo should just go on to a third fight with Gennadiy Golovkin in a bout that has been projected for September.

A victory at 168 pounds over GGG, a middleweight champion, would give Canelo the final say-so in their contentious rivalry. Canelo was 1-0-1 against GGG in two middleweight bouts. But what would it really prove? GGG is 40, several steps past his prime. The critics would be there. The critics would also gather into a social-media storm, demanding a rematch with Bivol.

Without Bivol, there would still be a lot of money for Canelo in super-middleweight bouts, post-GGG. There’s David Benavidez. But money can’t really be as decisive a factor as it was. Canelo’s got more of it than he can spend in a lifetime. He is ranked No. 8 on Forbes’ annual list of the world highest-paid athletes. He made a reported $90 million over a 12-month period, May 1 2021 to May 1 2022. That doesn’t even include his paycheck for Bivol. It was reported his purse could approach $50 million.

He doesn’t want for money. He wants history

History is calling. It’s in the rematch clause.