Still No Love Lost Between Canelo and Gennady Golovkin

By: Jeandra Lebeauf

After weeks of speaking to the media about their September 15 rematch, without laying eyes on each other, the animus between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin continued to burn red hot as the combatants participated in a joint media workout and fan event in Los Angeles on Sunday at the Banc of California Stadium.

With fans lining up hours before the start of the event, the crowd was evenly split between Canelo and GGG supporters and the atmosphere was fun and light with just over two weeks remaining before the super fight gets underway at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Speaking to the media, before working out for the fans in attendance, Alvarez reiterated his disdain for his opponent’s team and revealed that part of his rematch strategy includes stepping up his counterpunching offense. Something he didn’t take full advantage of in the first fight.

“We’re getting close to the fight, and I feel good. This fight is personal because of all that’s been said, and it will be difficult to regain the respect that we once had. The statements that have been made about me have given me more motivation to train harder. I have watched the first fight several times. The error that I made was that I had opportunities to counter that I needed to have taken advantage of. I need to do that in the rematch.

While looking relaxed and focused, Gennady Golovkin says he’s still angry the first rematch date was canceled then doubled down on his position that Canelo and his team do not respect the sport of boxing or it’s fans so, in turn, he’s lost all respect for him.

Was I upset that Canelo failed two drug tests? Yes. But I was more upset with Canelo’s team. The excuses they gave, their attitude, and Canelo’s reaction, it showed that they have no respect for the sport or the fans. They showed their real faces. They are fakes. I do feel anger toward him because the rematch was canceled the first time.

But I did lose all respect for him. Canelo is not the biggest name in boxing, just the biggest scandal. I feel very comfortable. It has been a great training camp. Abel has had me working on new things which I find very exciting. The cancelation of the rematch in May was a good life experience but it was not a good experience for boxing. I believe new judges and a new referee could be better for boxing and the fans.”

Despite participating in the same event at the same location, Alvarez and Golovkin never spoke or faced off for the thousands of fans in attendance. The two will finally meet, face-to-face, once the fight week festivities get underway in Las Vegas.