Canelo Alvarez says GGG is ‘nothing out of this world’
The rematch between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin is a month away, but the animosity between the two is building. Here are Canelo’s thoughts on GGG.
Canelo Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 KOs) and Gennady Golovkin (38-0-1, 34 KOs) fought to a draw in 2017, but their Sept. 15 rematch quickly approaches. A lot has happened since their last meeting. Alvarez tested positive for a banned substance and Golovkin and his team made critical comments in response. Tensions are high, and the two men have avoided face-to-face press conferences.
Canelo had a lot to say about Golovkin during a media call on Wednesday, Aug. 15. Golovkin is known as a power puncher. He’s accumulated 34 knockouts in 39 fights. His KO percentage is a staggering 87 percent, but Alvarez took his punches well in the first fight.
FanSided asked Alvarez about how Golovkin’s power stacked up to that of his previous opponents’. His response started out respectfully.
“Obviously, he’s a very strong fighter,” said Alvarez. “He has a very strong hit in his punches. That’s his biggest virtue as a fighter, that he has that power, but obviously, I’ve fought other strong fighters as well.”
The longer Alvarez discussed Golovkin’s power, the more his tone began to shift.
“And despite him being a 160-pounder with respectable power, it’s nothing out of this world,” said Alvarez.
Alvarez elaborated, “I showed him the first fight that I can take his punches, and simply that, he’s a respectable puncher with respectable power, but nothing out of this world.”
Alvarez’s characterization of Golovkin’s power as “respectable” but not “out of this world” could be an honest assessment or it could be a tactic in mental warfare. His comments demonstrate to Golovkin and the rest of the world that he’s not in awe of Golovkin’s talent. They also suggest that he views Golovkin as a one-dimensional fighter.
Initially, Alvarez’s remark that Golovkin’s power is his “biggest virtue” sounds like a compliment, but the second part of his statement turns it into a subliminal shot. He appears to insinuate that Golokin has a hard punch, but not much else.
Alvarez and Golovkin are used to trading barbs. During a dual Facebook media conference call last month, Canelo expressed his animosity towards Golovkin and his team.
“They disrespected me,” Alvarez said. “Now it’s different. Now it’s personal.”
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The hostility between the two continues to mount. Their showdown on Sept. 15 is the biggest boxing event of 2018. They should put on an amazing fight. Home audiences can catch the action on HBO pay-per-view.