Canelo vs. GGG: 5 keys for Canelo Alvarez

2. Counter Golovkin’s jab

Gennady Golovkin possesses one of the most devastating jabs in boxing. Against David Lemieux, Golovkin proved that he can completely disarm a vaunted power-puncher by turning his left shoulder outward and pumping his straight left hand with accuracy and force. Golovkin can of course use his jab to create a path for crosses, hooks and uppercuts, but he can also employ the punch to destabilize opponents and force them to retreat.

Although Golovkin’s win over Daniel Jacobs wasn’t a comprehensive one, the Kazakh did earn the decision thanks to his jab, which he threw over 300 times. Canelo can expect a similar diet of straight left hands when he faces Golovkin, which means that the key to the fight could boil down to the Mexican’s ability to slip and counter this seemingly simple punch.

As Canelo Alvarez has continued to improve his defense, he’s become adept at dipping to his right to slip jabs and immediately countering with a cross. This will be a key maneuver for Canelo, and he should aim to land his right hand to both the head, as he did against Miguel Cotto and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and body, as was on display in him setting up Amir Khan for several rounds before landing the fight-ending blow.

One thing Canelo has to be mindful of is jabbing with Golovkin. The Kazakh has perfect his ability to slap down an opponents’ jab while landing his own, so Canelo needs to take available opportunities to lead and double or triple the punch in spots to keep Golovkin guessing. Golovkin, at times, will allow foes to smack his arms and forehead with combinations as he closes distance, so Canelo must be ready to pounce on these opportunities when they present themselves, all while waiting for the split second to counter or slip Golovkin’s inevitable jab.