Gennady Golovkin seems to know just how to push the buttons of his long-time foe, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
In less than a month, the two fighters will meet in the ring to write the third chapter of their controversial championship rivalry. Golovkin, currently training out of California, told journalist Ernest Amador that he believes he has support in his efforts from some unlikely places.
“I know about my legacy and what I will leave written in boxing It will remain for future generations, but without a doubt when the time comes, I will surely enjoy talking to my grandchildren, if I have them, about what I did and left as a legacy in the ring.”
Many Mexicans love me and nobody in Kazakhstan loves Canelo.”
In the lead up to the fight, and despite their bitter history, ‘Triple G’ has remained unfazed – smiling at press conferences and talking of respect for his opponent. This, it seems, doesn’t sit well with Canelo.
In a recent interview with BBC Sport, he said his goal was to retire Golovkin. He elaborated:
“It’s personal because he talked a lot of things about me all these years, so that’s why it’s personal for me.”
“When he’s in front of me, he doesn’t say anything – ‘I respect him, I respect his career and this and this’ – but what about what you’ve been saying in interviews and in other places?”
“I think I’m going to end him before the 12th round. I’m going to put all my boxing skills, all my experience in boxing to get this done.”
Canelo goes on to state that he’s a ‘more dangerous fighter’ following his loss to Bivol. The Mexican superstar was outboxed and outsmarted that night – a rare sight in the sport.
In need of a victory and spurred on by Golovkin’s playful jabs in the media, Alvarez will almost certainly begin the pair’s 25th round together as fierce as ever. Golovkin has scores to settle too, though – the first fight ended in a draw with the second being a razor-thin decision win for the Mexican. Many fans feel Golovkin should have been given the nod at least once.
The trilogy fight between the pair, which will be contested for Canelo’s super-middleweight belts, is set for September 17 in Las Vegas.