Golovkin-Canelo: Triple G robbery very damaging result for boxing

Boxingnews24.com

By Gav Duthie: What has been the best year in boxing for so long has been soured by last Saturday night’s decision to award a draw for Saul Canelo Alvarez in his fight against Gennady “GGG” Golovkin at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Poor decisions happen all the time and don’t get me wrong this fight was close but Golovkin won and the 118-110 score for Canelo from Adelaide Byrd in particular has enraged fans and media throughout the world. In a 2017 which has seen great action, unification bouts and an undisputed champion crowned in Terrence Crawford this decision has brought out the ugly side of boxing once again. In the last few months I felt the Floyd Mayweather v Conor McGregor fight could undo the great work but it was fine. Awful decisions, corruption and flawed scoring are what is destroying boxing today.

Conspiracy?

Being a huge boxing fan, I don’t like to believe in corruption and conspiracy theories but it’s hard not to. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya had already been talking through the week about a trilogy between Canelo and Golovkin. Even at the time I thought it was a strange thing to say. Nobody goes out looking for a trilogy, they want to win as quickly and as easily as possible. Floyd Patterson didn’t think I’ll get knocked spark out by Ingemar Johansson to set up a rematch nor did Erik Morales expect the fright of his life against Barrera first time out. You don’t plan trilogies, they just happen. The bout was close, it’s not Canelo’s fault he fought a good fight and his game plan worked to an extent. He can only do his job then it’s up to the judges. GGG wasn’t as ferocious as per usual but what he did do was land his jab at will and his defense was better than I’ve ever seen before. He was composed and apart from occasional early flurries in each round Canelo struggled.

Decisions

They need to find a way to eliminate decision draws in boxing. They are absolutely pointless and an easy get out for corrupt scoring. In soccer if you score the same goals as the opponent it’s a draw the same for any other points scoring game. In boxing the results are open to interpretation from only 3 people who on many occasions seem to be watching a different fight from everyone else. In the WBSS tournament for example it’s a knockout competition so there can’t be any draws. They operate a count back system so if it’s a draw they look at who won the final round. When we had 15 rounds it was maybe too much but odd numbers as opposed to even numbers will always be better for getting a winner. Even try a sudden death 13th round if a draw is awarded? I’m not saying I have the answers and there are surely people a lot more intelligent than I who can figure it out but something needs to change.

Rematch

Obviously PPV numbers aren’t through yet but promoters and networks need to realize that a rematch won’t do as good business next time around. When I look at the biggest fights in history the numbers are irrelevant it’s about legacy. Lennox Lewis drawing with Holyfield was a joke, Pernell Whitaker schooled Julio Cesar Chavez and could only draw. The casual fan was promised a brawl last night so they will be turned off by the action and the result. It was a captivating fight and highly skilled but only true boxing fans will appreciate that. They may also lose real boxing fans who are fed up with the decisions and feel that Golovkin will have only one chance to win, a sensational knockout.