A look at Canelo Alvarez's career-defining moments

A look at Canelo Alvarez’s career-defining moments

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 02: Canelo Alvarez celebrates his victory over Sergey Kovalev after their WBO light heavyweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 2, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alvarez won with an 11th-round knockout. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 15: Canelo Alvarez (R) throws a right at Gennady Golovkin in the third round of their WBC/WBA middleweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena on September 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alvarez won by majority decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Canelo Alvarez vs GGG II (September 15, 2018)

Following the perviously mentioned controversy if the first fight, Canelo’s reputation would take another blow, as he would fail two drug tests for the banned substance clenbuterol. The failed tests lead to the rematch with Golovkin being postponed, and also lead to even more fans now rooting against Canelo.

His public perception was going south, and he needed to do something to change that. In an effort to prove that the failed tests were due to contaminated beef – and that he was a clean fighter as he had been stating – Canelo enrolled in VADA 24/7/365 drug testing, which forced him to be tested year round, even when he was not in camp for a fight.

With the drug testing hurdle cleared, it was full steam ahead on the rematch. Entering the fight, fans were expecting another good fight, but hoping for something a little more. While the first fight was not bad by any stretch, it was not great.

Those fans who were hoping for that extra something in the rematch got just that, as Canelo decided to change his game plan this time around, becoming the aggressor.

He was coming forward, and applying pressure on Golovkin who seemed to be caught off guard initially. It was a fantastic action fight between two of the most skilled fighters in the world.

This fight was even closer than the first fight, and truly could have gone either way. Canelo earned a majority decision this time, and all three scores were fair and within the realm of realistic decisions (two judges had it 115-113 for Canelo, and one had it 14-114 a draw). There was no outcry from the decision this time, Canelo fought brilliantly and earned the decision.

This fight proved that Canelo was among the best fighters in the sport, no questions asked. He was able to defeat a top ten fighter in the world, and showed that if he ever was on clenbuterol, he certainly did not need it to be elite.

It was also an extra-sweet victory for Alvarez, who developed a very personal feud with Golovkin following the controversial first fight, and the previously mentioned failed drug tests.

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