Coach Jonathan Banks Could Prove the Difference for GGG in Canelo Trilogy
For the last five years, WBA Super and IBF middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KO’s) has pined for his September 17 trilogy with undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (57-2-2, 39 KO’s). In a large segment of fans’ opinion, Golovkin should have gotten the nod in the premiere duel. Yet, personal thoughts and opinions put to the side, the bout was officially ruled a draw. Then in the rematch, Alvarez would get the official win by way of hard fought majority decision.
Since that bitter loss to his most notorious professional rival, GGG has racked up four easily forgettable wins against Steve Rolls, Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Kamil Szeremeta and Ryota Murata. Even worse, his win against Derevyanchenko appeared to be a gift from the judges as it appeared that he certainly lost that match. Nevertheless, Golovkin has finally got the third bout that he craved.
NEW WRINKLES
Heading into this match-up, the two men now have 24 rounds of reconnaissance to reference when doing battle. Yet, while Canelo will have his usual Eddy Reynoso manning his corner, Golovkin will have a new chief second. Well, head coach Jonathan Banks is not new as GGG retained him following his second dust-up with Alvarez. Banks, who was known for his work with Wladimir Klitschko and Cecilia Braekhus, replaced Golovkin’s long time trainer Abel Sanchez. He himself was tempered under the tutelage of famed chief second Emanuel Steward.
Perhaps the perfect storm is brewing for a Canelo upset. This is because the younger, more active Alvarez is tabbed as the favorite for most observers. However, the Mexican icon is coming off a rather embarrassing loss to WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. So while the redhead may sport the cool and calm demeanor, there is no doubt he has mountains of internal pressure goading him to get back in the win column.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON?!
Furthermore, Canelo attributes his defeat to Bivol to shabby conditioningfailing him in the fight. Could this be a troublesome and reoccurring issue? During his tenure at super welterweight, or more appropriately “Canelo-weight,” it was a common thing to see him gas in the second half of fights. To guard against the heavy-lung blues, Alvarez says that he has resumed road work in his camp for the first time since 2018. Yet, the only reason he ceased running was on account of his crunchy, shopworn knees.
This is why introducing a thinking-man’s coach such as Jonathan Banks could be a crucial new variable. And while Banks is new to the Golovkin vs Alvarez saga, he is not new to GGG. The two have worked together for three full years. This is more than enough time to gel and capitalize on their own chemistry. So, it’s really not all that far-fetched to foresee a top trainer formalizing a great game plan for a well-known foe; and a foe, who is more than likely going to be very aggressive, but working on a compromised gas tank.
Sure, that’s a lot of “if’s”. Yet if just one or two pan out, then fight night might just turn into one grueling affair for Canelo. Or, maybe the redhead dusts off the forty year old warrior with no problem. Who knows? The only way to find out is to tune in. Luckily, no matter what happens, 3Kings Boxing will be on the scene to report!
By: Bakari Simpson
