The top 10 pound-for-pound boxers pre-Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev II

2. Gennady Golovkin

Forget the fact that Daniel Jacobs nearly upset middleweight destroyer Gennady Golovkin, ending his 23-fight knockout streak and casting serious doubts amongst many about the viability of Triple G’s aura of invincibility. The fact is that Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) deserved to win a close fight thanks to his educated jab and advanced boxing IQ.

Now, Golovkin will get the close-up he richly deserves when he finally faces Canelo Alvarez on September 16 in the biggest fight that can be made in boxing, a literal blockbuster that matches two crossover stars for all the middleweight marbles. Although many feel Golovkin will prove too strong and savvy for Canelo, the Jacobs fight has indeed made the match-up that much more intriguing.

In a sense, Golovkin, through no fault of his own, has fallen prey to his own mythology, which has been built up by those privileged enough to witness his steady rise since his U.S. debut. Evaluating Golovkin has become an exercise in contradictions: if he destroys a foe, they’re overmatched or overrated; if he struggles, it’s a “clear” sign that he’s a fading fighter in his mid-30s or was simply never worthy of the inordinate hype that now follows him.

Fortunately, GGG will be able to answer all his doubters and justify the faith those already pegging him as the best fighter in the sport have placed in him. And knowing Golovkin, an honorable and elite champion, he wouldn’t have it any other way. The stakes of the Canelo fight are massive, and Golovkin is surely aware that the bulk of his legacy is at stake. Few fighters combine Golovkin’s blend of elite technique and raw power, and he’ll need every ounce of both attributes to dominate Canelo and fulfill the script those promoting him have been writing for the better part of four years.