WBC, WBA (Super), IBF and IBO middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and Saul “Canelo”Alvarez have signed a contract for another fight, according to anofficial announcement by the boxers, their representatives and promoters.
Photo credit: Turar Kazangapov
The rematch is scheduled for May 5, although the location of the match is not yet determined. The day was chosen for a reason, as Cinco de Mayo is one of Mexico’s main national holidays, according to organisers.
The first Golovkin vs. Alvarez fight, held Sept. 16 in Las Vegas, ended in a draw. The Kazakh boxer retained all his titles, but broke his streak of 37 consecutive wins. The outcome caused controversy, however, since most fans thought Golovkin deserved the victory, and one of the three judges of the match, who gave victory to Canelo, was later suspended from judging major bouts. Now, the two boxers will have another chance to show who is stronger.
Alvarez has indicated he is going to knock out Golovkin, leaving him no excuse in the face of the judges, to which GGG tweeted, “You’re right. This time, we will not need the judges.”
Golovkin added he is glad to have another chance to meet Alvarez in the ring.
“I’m ready to fight Canelo again and I’m happy this bout will take place. It’s a fight the world wants to see. This is the boxing I’m worthy of. I didn’t agree with the opinions of some judges in the first fight. However, this time there will be no doubt. I’m going to leave the ring as a middleweight champion,” he said.
Golden Boy Promotions General Director Oscar de la Hoya, which represents Alvarez, also weighed in, according to Boxingscene.com.
“The Canelo vs. GGG rematch will be the biggest event in boxing and the best event of 2018. The two elite boxers will face each other again to find out who is the best middleweight in the world. I expect the rematch to be even more intense, as both fighters know that this time much more is at stake,” he said.
