Fansided

Canelo-GGG rematch almost dead as NSAC files complaint

By Nick Tylwalk

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Boxer Canelo Alvarez posess during a news conference at Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live to announce the upcoming rematch against Gennady Golovkin on February 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Boxer Canelo Alvarez posess during a news conference at Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live to announce the upcoming rematch against Gennady Golovkin on February 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The chances of the Canelo-GGG rematch actually happening on May 5 seem to get smaller by the day, and Thursday saw another potentially devastating hurdle thrown in its path.

It might be safer to assume at this point that the Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin rematch isn’t going to take place on May 5 in Las Vegas. It’s been in danger of being called off ever since Canelo tested positive for a banned substance, and now his last hope, an upcoming hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, appears to be a long shot.

That’s because according to ESPN’s ace boxing reporter Dan Rafael, the NSAC filed a formal complaint Thursday, moving the consideration of Alvarez’s status from a standalone hearing on April 10 to the group’s normal monthly meeting on April 18. On top of that, Rafael explains that when the NSAC files a complaint, it almost always is a harbinger of a suspension to follow.

That makes the status of Canelo-GGG dire indeed, throwing what should have been the biggest boxing card of 2018 into chaos. Golovkin has been widely reported to want to fight anyway, but the choice of a short notice opponent is always a tricky one. ESPN also reports that HBO has to consider its options as well, because putting GGG on a pay-per-view against a decided B-side is the gateway to …well, not many PPV buys.

So as depressing as it is, here’s what looks most likely to happen now. Alvarez’s camp will either request the April 10 hearing or wait for April 18, but either way, Canelo will be hit with some kind of suspension. The GGG rematch will be officially canceled when that is announced, and Golovkin will fight someone on May 5 on regular HBO.

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That’s not a win for anyone in the situation not named Canelo but it’s less of a loss. The only silver lining is that provided Golovkin keeps winning in the meantime and Alvarez isn’t suspended for too long, it adds an extra layer of intrigue for whenever the rematch might be explored again.

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