GGG: Would be nice if Canelo came to fight this time

By Miguel Maravilla

WBC, WBA middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (38-0-1, 34 KOs) is ready to settle unfinished business with former world champion and Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (49-1-2, 34 KOs). The rematch will take place September 15 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on HBO Pay Per View. With all events leading to the anticipated rematch, Golovkin did not hold back taking shots at Canelo as he talked about his upcoming rematch.

“I feel good. I wanted this fight. I want to beat him. I’m ready to give a Big Drama Show,” Golovkin told Fightnews.com®. “I am happy to get at Canelo again. It is another big chance to beat him again.”“This is a big event for boxing. It’s a big fight for Gennady and Canelo both have a lot to win,” GGG Promotions Tom Loeffler added.

In what was the most anticipated fight in boxing Golovkin and Canelo fought to a split decision draw in a highly competitive fight last September. What followed was an uproar from boxing fans as judge Adalaide Byrd scored a lopsided 118-110 favoring Canelo, while the other judges scored the bout more reasonable as Dave Moretti scored the bout 115-113 favoring Golovkin and Ton Trella had it even 114-114.

“I just watched the fight for the first time and the result was terrible for the sport,” Golovkin said about the last fight. “In the last fight, I did not feel any real power from Canelo. He just slaps. He is not the hardest puncher but he is fast and quick but not heavy-handed. He is the most skilled fighter I have fought. He is a very good fighter,” Golovkin added.

“Gennady had to chase Canelo, and Canelo says he was a true Mexican warrior, around the ring,” trainer Abel Sanchez said about the first fight. “Gennady did everything in that fight. Gennady wasn’t the one who got booed by the fans when those crazy scorecards were announced.”

“We feel Gennady won the first fight,” Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler commented about the first fight between Golovkin and Alvarez.

Interestingly, Golovkin talked about Canelo’s style, “He moved too much. He did not fight Mexican style.”

It has been a hassle for Golovkin this past year, as the rematch with Canelo was announced early this year and set for Cinco de Mayo (May 5th). Gennady and his team led by trainer Abel Sanchez began the preparation process gearing up to settle the score with Alvarez. As we all know Canelo would go on to test positive for the banned substance, clenbuterol. In wake of the incident, Alvarez and his team withdrew from the Cinco de Mayo rematch as Canelo served his six-month suspension.

“I do not feel anger toward him because the rematch was canceled the first time,” Golovkin said. “Was I upset that Canelo failed two drug tests? Yes. But I was more upset at Canelo’s team. The excuses they gave, their attitude, and Canelo’s reaction, it showed that they have no respect for the sport.”

The champ added, “Canelo has a big problem because he is still working with the people that put him in this situation,”I don’t have a problem. Him and his team have a big problem.”

Following Canelo’s withdraw and suspension, Gennady kept himself active by knocking out the very tough and durable Vanes Martirosyan. Golovkin blasted the 2004 U.S Olympian and in two rounds.

“I just wanted to fight and do it for the fans. I just did my job,” Golovkin on his last fight.

“Gennady really took out his frustration vs. Vanes. No one had ever done that to Vanes and Gennady was able to take him out in 2 rounds. Vanes had given Lara, Charlo, and Andrade some very tough fights,” Golvkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler said.

With the rematch set, Golovkin and his team have been very outspoken when it comes to Canelo’s failed test.

“I did lose all respect for him. Canelo is not the biggest name in boxing, just the biggest scandal,” Golovkin commented.

At one point Gennady and Canelo shared a very great deal of respect as the two sparred one another in 2012 up in Big Bear, California. Last year leading to their showdown there was no disrespect or thrash talk between the two camps. Due to Canelo’s clenbuterol scandal, both Golovkin and his team are obviously disappointed along with the boxing fans.

“Canelo, he is not a champion. He is a liar who has no respect for the sport of boxing or its fans,” Golovkin explained.

Trainer Abel Sanchez was quoted last week,”I read that Canelo isn’t eating beef in this camp. Let’s just hope he stopped eating duck too.”

GGG has had a solid camp at the Summit in the Southern California high altitude mountains in Big Bear, California with his trainer Abel Sanchez along with co-trainers brother Max Golovkin and long-time respected trainer Ben Lira.

“I feel very comfortable. It has been a great training camp. Abel has had me working on new things,” Golovkin on training camp. “I do not think about Canelo in training. I am not worried about him. I only worry about doing my job in training camp and doing my job in the ring against Canelo on September 15,”

“Gennady is working really hard to make sure that he doesn’t leave the fight in the hands of the judges,” Abel Sanchez said.

This time around for the rematch the Nevada State Athletic Commission appointed Benji Estevez of New Jersey, and judges Steve Weisfeld of New Jersey, Glenn Feldman of Connecticut, and Dave Moretti of Nevada. Golovkin and his team are confident and have faith in the officials for the rematch.

“I believe new judges and a new referee could be better for boxing and the fans,” Golovkin said about the officials.

Loeffler commented, “They seem like qualified judges and the referee is Benji Estevez. There is no controversy from our side. We want to make sure that the focus is on the fight and the fighters.”

With all the animosity leading to this fight, Golovkin and Canelo are looking for the knockout. So chances are both don’t want to leave it in the hands of the judges. Since Canelo has promised he will be more aggressive this time.

“I don’t believe what he says about how he will fight me this time. He said the same thing before our first fight. I will definitely be more aggressive in this fight,” Golovkin said. “Of course, I want to knock out Canelo. It would be nice if Canelo came to fight this time!”