Golovkin Cruelly Denied Again

Golovkin Cruelly Denied Again

Sometimes in boxing the right man doesn’t get what they deserve. Marvellous Marvin Hagler had his own issues with Las Vegas judges, and now arguably the best middleweight since Hagler must share those same frustrations. For the 2nd time, Gennady Golovkin has been denied a clear victory which most observers thought he rightly deserved.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez got the majority decision by scores of 114-114 115-113 115-113 and Golovkin stormed out of the ring in protest. Much like the first contest I had Golovkin winning, I again had it 115-113 and that is being generous to Alvarez, but as the scores were being read out you just had a sense of what was to come, you just knew.

Alvarez didn’t move as much as he did in the first meeting, and after a tight opening round Alvarez exploded a stunning left hand in the 2nd, but as ever Golovkin just blinked and carried on regardless. The piercing jab of Golovkin was his key and surely negated the lesser volume of Alvarez. The Mexican did well in spurts, but for me, the volume was coming from Golovkin, boxing brilliantly at times on the back foot.

Going into the 10th Alvarez needed, as he did in the first fight a strong finish, and he started the round with real intent, but Golovkin stood his ground and hurt Alvarez and ever so briefly we thought the cards might not be needed. But Alvarez recovered, but I thought his chance had gone, that to me was the pivotal round. They shared the final two rounds and when Alvarez raised his hands at the conclusion of another gripping fight it looked more in hope than anything, the judges however had other ideas.

Even though some of the rounds were again close, I fail to see how you can not give Golovkin more than 5 rounds. The opening 6 rounds were the key, all the judges had it 4-2 for Alvarez I saw it the other way. It was by no means a robbery, and there have been far worse decisions, but I can only call it like I see it. I thought Golovkin won both fights clearly enough but the history books will say he didn’t win either.

Both fights were high-quality contests, and Alvarez more than played his part, but to me, as the fight was drawing to a close I was thinking Golovkin had more than proved he was the better fighter.

Contaminated meat or a convenient excuse, either way, Alvarez shouldn’t have been fighting at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but he was, and he was the recipient of another fortunate favourable decision, and for me, it leaves a bitter taste in more ways than one. Hopefully, history will judge Golovkin kinder than he has been judged in the two fights with Alvarez.

Golovkin drops to (38-1-1) Alvarez improves to (50-1-2)