By Andy Rivera
For Enchantment Sports
LAS VEGAS – Back in the Golden Days of boxing, when Sugar Ray Robinson, who many consider the best fighter pound-for-pound ever, lost to Jake LaMotta in February of 1942, he didn’t wait years or even months to have a rematch. The fight was made three weeks later.
In fact Robinson even had a tune-up fight the week before the rematch – defeating California Jack Wilson. Robinson then avenged his loss to LaMotta.
Sometimes boxers get old overnight. Everyone knows that. And while Gennady Golovkin didn’t look old during his oh-so-close loss to Canelo Alvarez here on Saturday, let’s not wait another year to have the third fight.
Golovkin turns 37 in April. Canelo Alvarez just turned 28. I hope Canelo’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, doesn’t play games wand waits for Golovkin to get older, so his fighter can take advantage of GGG’s age.
The two fights between the two have been incredible, and have left the boxing people still mixed on who won both fights. The first was a controversial draw which many saw GGG winning, while last night’s fight was again so close, with fans and media divided again.
This time, Canelo got the decision in handing GGG his first loss of his 40 fight career. Two scorecards were 115-113 in favor of Alvarez, the other was 114-114.
Alvarez (50-1-2) deserves full credit for standing in front of GGG and making a better fight then the their first encounter, but many feel Golovkin’s jab was the main weapon that piled up points. Statistics also showed GGG was the one who landed more punches again, as he did in the first fight.
Abel Sanchez, Golovkin’s trainer, gave full credit to Alvarez but does want a third fight with Canelo.
“We had a great fight, the one we expected the first time around,” Sanchez said. “I had it close going into the 12th round. We had good judges who saw it from different angles – I can’t complain about the decision, but it’s close enough to warrant a third fight. Canelo fought a great fight, congratulations.”
Canelo also stated he would be open to a third match. “If the fans want a third fight I’m all for it.”
Sure there are other middleweight fights to be made for both, fights with Jarmel Charlo, Daniel Jacobs or Bily Jo Sanders, but give the boxing fans what they deserve – Canelo vs GGG 3.
YES we do want a third fight, sooner not later! Boxing deserves it and so do Canelo and GGG.
Andy Rivera is a former New Mexico state Golden Gloves champion and long-time national and regional boxing writer. Rivera will have a follow story for Enchantment Sports on tonight’s mega bout. To contact Any with any information, tips or story ideas, please email EnchantmentSportsNM@gmail.com.
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