'We do not like one another': Rivals Canelo Álvarez and Gennady Golovkin face off in trilogy struggle

"And I hate that sort of particular person, like Golovkin says a variety of issues about you after which when you've got that particular person in entrance of you, they are saying: 'Oh, I respect this, I respect that.' I hate that. I am simply actually excited to get again."

Last chapter

Álvarez and Golovkin's rivalry has gripped the boxing world for nearly 5 years, ever since their first bout, with ups and downs, thrills and spills alongside the way in which.

They first fought in 2017, with GGG's WBC, WBA and IBO middleweight titles all on the road; the struggle ending in a controversial draw with many saying the Kazakh fighter ought to have been dominated the victor.

The disputed results of the struggle culminated in a rematch being introduced swiftly after, just for it to be canceled after Álvarez examined constructive for a banned substance. The Mexican fighter was banned for six months consequently.

Lastly, simply over a yr after their first struggle, the 2 fought in a rematch, which once more wasn't with out controversy. Though Álvarez was awarded the win through a majority choice after 12 rounds, many once more debated whether or not that consequence was correct, as soon as once more saying Golovkin outboxed Álvarez.

And now, nearly 4 years to the day since their second struggle, the 2 will step into the ring once more.

Álvarez will likely be placing his undisputed super-middleweight titles on the road, whereas for Golovkin, he will likely be preventing on the weight for the primary time in his profession.

The 40-year-old Golovkin is coming off a middleweight unification victory in opposition to Japan's Ryōta Murata, his first struggle in over a yr.

However for Álvarez, it's a totally different story.

It was a step up in weight for Álvarez, though he would not blame that improve for the unanimous defeat, saying: "A whole lot of issues occurred in my coaching camp."

Nevertheless, that loss has solely made him extra harmful as he says he "realized quite a bit" from it. "I feel I am extra harmful than earlier than as a result of I am hungry to come back again," Álvarez mentioned.

"And I am very aggressive. Like I mentioned earlier than, while you're searching for greatness, it should be onerous instances. However that is to not say I am not going to perform what I need, my targets. So I am trying ahead and I am prepared to come back again."

Whereas his trilogy struggle with GGG is the most recent in a protracted sequence of blockbuster fights for Álvarez, he says -- as he prepares for his 62nd skilled struggle -- he's pushed by extra than simply titles and championships.

"I at all times really feel like one of the best fighter on the earth, since I began boxing. I really feel like one of the best as a result of I am the one fighter who would not have to danger. I danger as a result of I need to be an amazing, not simply be a champion. There are a variety of champions on the market. The distinction between me and between them is I danger all the things to be nice."