A few days before the third part of the rivalry between Saúl Álvarez and Gennady Golovkin, it is worth remembering the great moments that have marked this path. Five years ago, in September 2017, his first fight took place in Las Vegas, which ended in a draw.
For many, “GGG” started out as the great favorite because he held the World Boxing Association (WBA) and IBF middleweight belts, in addition to having knocked out 23 of his last 24 opponents in a clear example of his power, which made him go through the best moment of his career.
The Kazakh was 35 years old and among his victims were characters of the stature of Daniel Jacobs, Kell Brook, Willie Monroe Jr. and Daniel Geale, among others.
“Canelo” was the WBC champion and had just fought Julio César Chávez Jr. at a previously agreed weight. He had beaten good opponents like Miguel Cotto, Erislandy Lara or Amir Khan.
The Mexican, 27 at the time, was facing one of the toughest fights of his career, but he felt confident to rise to the challenge.
Both showed great physical condition, went to the exchange and showed a lot of pride in the ring, but in the end they ended up tied in a fight with good action and emotion from start to finish that was just the opening of their great rivalry.
Five years later, they are in the same city to face each other for the third time and the expectation is still intact. Since that first fight they have made it clear what they are capable of and people always want to see more.
