Canelo Alvarez Speaks on a Possible Trilogy With Gennady Golovkin
Unified WBA ‘super’/WBC/WBO world super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs) is training for his November 6 showdown against IBF world 168 pound champ Caleb Plant (21-0, 12 KOs). While Plant is his immediate focus, Alvarez understands many others have him in their scope.
All big players from 160-175 pounds want to fight him. However, there is one man intrinsically linked to him. That would be the current IBF world middleweight champ, Gennady Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs).
In September of 2016, the two fought to a thrilling split-decision draw. Their September 2017 rematch was just as entertaining, but this time Alvarez won by majority decision. Four years have passed since they last fought, yet fans are still holding out hope for a potential third meeting.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?
The unified 168-pound champ sat down for an interview with ESPN Deportes. When asked about his future, the superstar from Mexico explained that he is open to anything. That includes another bout with Golovkin. However, Alvarez asked a simple question of his former rival.
(translated from Spanish) “I am ready for everything, I am ready to make the best fights. You hang on to that. I’m doing more important things than him. Where is he? What has he done after he fought me? Nothing.”
Since their two fights, Golovkin captured the vacant IBF 160 pound title with a controversial win over Sergey Derevyanchenko in October of 2019. He has successfully defended that belt once. For his part, Alvarez went on to win world titles at 168 and 175.
ARE YOU A GOOD JUDGE?
Golovkin has not fought high-level competition since his wars with Alvarez. Devevyanchenko, and a subsequent title defense against Kamil Szeremeta, are far from world-beaters.
Then again, Canelo’s opponents have been somewhat underwhelming. In winning the WBO 175 pound strap, he defeated a faded Sergey Kovalev beset with personal issues outside of the fight. Alvarez deserves credit for defeating Callum Smith and Billy Joe Saunders for the WBA and WBO titles at 168. Are they better than Golovkin’s recent opposition? Yes. Would you consider either Smith or Saunders elite fighters? Most fans and pundits do not.
Due to their styles, Alvarez and Golovkin will always make for an entertaining clash. There are plenty that would welcome a third fight. This is the stumbling block. Canelo is likely to go back up to 175 should he defeat Plant.
With so much time gone by, does Alvarez-Golovkin III carry the same cache now that it would have 2-3 years ago? Despite Alvarez leaving a window open for a trilogy, in truth, that ship has probably sailed away.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
