Four journalists specialized in Boxing give us five reasons for the most anticipated fight of the year to be won by GGG or Canelo.

By Jesus Cova 

Gennady Golovkin:

1. Knocking power: 33 KO’s in 37 fights speak for the lethal power of the defending monarch, who has the highest KO percentage (89,2%) in the division history.
2. Endurance: Granite fighter. Never knocked down, either in amateur or in professional boxing in almost 400 combats, (387).
3. Style: Uncommon, singular case. Combines the European style, methodical, no rush, with the aggressiveness of the Mexican, rather Latin American boxing style.
4. Experience: Álvarez has a greater number of professional fights, but the champion had an extensive campaign in amateur of 350 fights (lost 5), to which are added 37 fights in professional boxing.
5. Draw: Even though the possibility of a draw is seen as remote, if it happened, Golovkin would retain his WBA,FIB,IBO,WBC titles. It would be a pyrrhic victory after all.

Canelo Alvarez:

1. Youth: the challenger is 27 years old, 8 less than the defending champion. This could be a decisive factor.
2. Punch: even though the title holder has a stronger punch, the defying fighter is a consistent hitter with a not so shabby punch from the beginning of the combat and in every round.
3. By KO: Even though the KO should lean towards GGG, a victory for the Aztec should not be dismissed . 34 of his rivals have succumbed before the limit.
4. By points: If the combat reaches 12 rounds, Álvarez should be the winner.
5. Rivals: The review of both records shows “Canelo” has faced more renown rivals than the european. Mayweather and Cotto are good examples.

By Simon Pina

Gennady Golovkin:

1. Has been the WBA Middleweight champion for 7 years. Has made 18 defenses, 17 of them won by KO. His punches are lethal.
2. Had 350 combats as Amateur winning 345. Middleweight gold medalist at the World Championship in Bangkok 2003 and Silver medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
3. In professional boxing he is undefeated with 37 victories, 34 of them by KO. He is considered the best Middleweight champion since Marvin Hagler in the 80’s.
4. Has a very powerful jab, a lethal cross right and a fulminant left hook. He is a predator capable of cornering and finish off his rivals.
5. In his 350 combats as amateur, plus the 37 in professional, he has never been knocked down, not even pushed by his opponent’s punches.

Canelo Alvarez:

1. Is 8 years younger, but in spite of that he has over 50 fights as a Professional.
2. Has 34 KO’s in his 49 victories. Not a fulminant knocker but knows how to erode his rival until he finishes him off in the long run.
3. Has a good offensive in the mid distance. He shoots with good, fast and damaging combinations.
4. Not easy to hit. Has a good jaw and knows how to cover before his rival’s offensive.
5. His only defeat was by decision against the phenomenal Floyd Mayweather, so he is a man with a winning spirit that waited a long time for this fight.

By Samuel Rosenber

Canelo Alvarez:

1. He prefers people come to him. He is an excellent counterpuncher.
2. He is the A side and wants to keep it that way. This will be home court advantage for him.
3. He is very slick defensively and hard to hit flush. GGG is not likely to find him an easy target.
4. He is just entering his physical prime and will be in peak condition. He is a superb boxer all-around with no holes in his game.
5. He has very good power. Sparring partners and opponents almost unanimously say his power is very good and keeps his opponents tentative to throw.

Gennady Golovkin:

1. He can keep the fight at range and control with the jab. He did it in the David Lemieux fight.
2. He has been waiting for this fight for a long time. He is mentally prepared and excited to prove himself.
3. He can take advantage of Canelo’s mental attitude lately of new tattoos and vehicles and supermodels. He is focused on boxing, Canelo is focused on his image.
4. Mental advantage of knowing most in the division, including Canelo, have been avoiding him until he was a bigger draw. His time is here.
5. Power, durability, and good chin are three traits that can win any fight. He has proven all three.

By Jesus Milano

Golovkin wins because:

1. Power: Even though they are both heavy hitters, it is undeniable that the Kazakhstani has a greater capacity to put his rival to sleep with his blows. His 33 KO’s in 33 fights prove it.
2. Jab: Golovkin uses his jab like very few boxers do and knows how to hurt with it. His rival is shorter, has less reach and has never stood out for his waist moves. He could be easy prey for ”GGG”.
3. Height: Has the tools to make the fight from outside and keep his rival at a distance the whole night. If he takes advantage of it, it will be possible to punish him and avoid being hit.
4. Experience: Has been in multiple stages against all kinds of boxers. Both in amateur as well as in professional boxing, Gennady’s milage has been proved.
5. Is the champion: Golovkin is defending his Crown and if Canelo wants to take it he will have to go after him. We all know the risks it entails to go against the Kazakhstani locomotive.

Canelo Alvarez:

1. Youth: Canelo seems to be at the peak of his career. At 27 years old he will face a fighter some years older and this could play in his favor
2. Hand speed: It seems suicidal for both to fall into blow exchanges, but between two warriors like these it can happen. The Mexican has hand speed and that could help him win those “give and takes.
3. Confidence: He comes from overwhelmingly winning several fights in a row. Without a doubt the guy from Guadalajara is on a roll and has easily resolved his recent combats, which could be a plus for him.
4. Possible new things: Canelo has room for improvement and could bring new tools to this combat. He could take Golovkin by surprise with some secret weapon.
5. At home: Las Vegas will be full with Mexicans supporting his fighter. In such big fights and so leveled, motivation plays an important role and it won’t fail Alvarez.

The opinions expressed in this article belong to their authors and do not reflect the views of the WBA.