Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez closed off his trilogy with Gennady Golovkin last night in Las Vegas with a decisive victory. Well, decisive to some…
Canelo completely dominated the early stages of the fight, beating Golovkin to the punch on almost every exchange. ‘Triple G’ couldn’t come up with much more than a jab, whist his Mexican opponent cycled through his range of available artillery.
The Mexican’s success continued, and with each round a win for ‘GGG’ became ever more unlikely. In fact, such was Álvarez’ early dominance that it’s hard to make a case for the 40-year-old taking any of opening 6 rounds. Despite upping the tempo in the later stages, ‘Triple G’ never troubled Canelo, who ended up cruising to victory.
Whether Canelo just has his number or, more likely, the final fight is coming too late in ‘GGG’s career, the Mexican was a very clear winner. Ironically, given the controversial scoring in the pair’s past, there was disbelief at how close the official scores were. This time, it was Canelo whom the fans felt was hard done by.
116-112, and 115-113 twice, in favour of the Mexican – meaning that if Golovkin had managed to win just one more round the result would have been announced as a majority draw. Perhaps the talk of past controversy got in the judges heads.
? The #CaneloGGG3 Scorecards: pic.twitter.com/KYzXdxhwMp
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 18, 2022
It is, alas, an all-too-familiar story in boxing and plenty in the sport have had their say on the questionable scoring.
The judging throughout the entire trilogy has been absolutely embarrassing. First fight GGG won clear as day second fight GGG again but it was closer third fight Canelo won clear as day but the judges had it close. Some of the worst judging of all time.
— Sam Jones (@mrsamjones88) September 18, 2022
Michael Benson
‼️ Canelo Alvarez BEATS Gennady Golovkin by unanimous decision to end their trilogy. Canelo remains the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO super-middleweight world champion, despite horrendously close scorecards of 116-112, 115-113, 115-113. Awful judging.
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) September 18, 2022
Lou DiBella
Wow… the 7-5 scores are comical! #boxing #CaneloGGG3 https://t.co/PiT4p2UmVo
— Lou DiBella? (@loudibella) September 18, 2022
Ade Oladipo
those scorecards were CRAZY
I gave GGG one round ..maybe two— Ade Oladipo (@ade_oladipo1) September 18, 2022
Stephen Espinoza
7-5 is nuts.
Two judges seeing it 7-5 is exponentially more nuts.
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) September 18, 2022
Claressa Shields
116-112, 115-113, 115-113 Canelo Alvarez! #canelovsGGG3 ! Fight was not that close in my eyes!
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) September 18, 2022
Gareth A Davies
Good to see full respect post fight.
117-111 @Canelo over @GGGBoxing on my card
GGG was fighting Canelo and Father Time
GGG came strong in 9, 10, 11
But Canelo too fast and dominant in first 8 rds#CaneloGGG3 pic.twitter.com/JG7fRhxHvj— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) September 18, 2022
Dan Rafael
We go to the scorecards in #CaneloGGG3: 116-112, 115-113 x 2 all for Canelo, who retains the undisputed super middleweight title. Absurd to have it even 116-112. Stop that. Right guy won at least. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) September 18, 2022
