GYM NOTES: Alvarez sparring Golovkin for Rhodes fight

pong · May 27, 2011

from the ring's website

The sparring session: Work, not war

Before the session, which took place on Wednesday, May 25, began, Sanchez told me not to expect a blood-and-guts shootout. Angulo, a big, strong, mature pressure fighter, forced Golovkins heavy hand, so to speak.

In general, Sanchez discourages gym wars, which is why hes always operated out of private gyms away from an audience than might spur on unnecessary displays of machismo in the ring.

Think of this gym like a school, he said. Its not a public gym with pride and egos on the line. This is about learning. Were here to work and prepare for our upcoming fights.

Golovkin defends his WBA belt against former 154-pound titleholder Kassim Ouma in Panama City, Panama, on June 17. Alvarez defends his WBC strap against Ryan Rhodes in his native Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 18.

On this day, they would spar six 4-minute rounds (which is no walk in the park 6,000 feet above sea level).

Were using Canelo for his speed, Sanchez said. Hes using us for our size.

That was fine by me. I was using both for a RingTV.com column.

Round one:

Alvarez began the session sticking and moving effectively. The young redhead was on his toes when he maneuvered around the casually advancing Golovkin, but he planted his feet every time he let his hands go, including his stiff jab. However, Golovkin picked off most of Alvarezs shots with his gloves as he quickly cut the ring off, occasionally switching stances as he stepped forward. The 2004 Olympian slipped a beautiful left uppercut through Alvarezs guard to score the first significant punch midway through the round. Alvarez loaded up with a retaliatory hook that missed and spun him halfway around. Golovkin didnt jab much, but he landed it whenever he let it go. Alvarez began to look for ways to counter his antagonist in the final minute and scored with a sweet right cross followed by hook that shook Golovkin down to his shoes. The Kazakh just smiled at him, though. Unfazed, Alvarez stood his ground in the final 30 seconds and took a few hard body shots.

Round two:

Golovkin stalked a little faster while displaying decent head movement and a nice straight, crisp jab. Alvarez definitely felt the pressure as he gave ground without allowing his back to touch the ropes. He used fluid upper-body movement to evade Golovkins short power shots, which prompted co-trainer Jose Reynoso to yell Bein, bein, muy bien! from the corner. Alvarez landed a picture perfect head-to-body hook combination mid-round. Golovkin fired back but the kid leaned away from the punches. Alvarez tried to counter Golovkin but couldnt get through the older fighters guard. Still, the young mans accuracy back Golovkin off for the first time during the session. Alvarez followed Golovkin during the final minute but walked into a hard left hook that appeared to rock him with 10 seconds remaining. Alvarez didnt return to his corner after the bell but instead tried to shake out his right leg, which immediately stiffened on impact of Golovkins hook.

Rounds three and four:

Alvarez abandoned his jab and his upper-body movement and took the fight to Golovkin with both hands. Golovkin welcomed the aggression, easily blocking Alvarezs punches while landing most of his. Alvarez sucked it up and even walked forward while attempting to block as much heat as he could, but it was clear that he could not match Golovkins strength or power. Still, the budding young star got in an occasional power punch whenever he let his hands go in bunches. His hook-right combination found the mark but his technique was not as tight as it was at the start of the session and his face was turning beet red from Golovkins punches. The kid showed guts but he didnt merit a single bien from Reynoso in the third round. He didnt hear it until two and half minutes into the fourth round when he let loose with a blazing five-punch combination. Golovkin dodged or parried most of the shots but Alvarez earned his respect for the round.

Round five:

A tired-looking Alvarez resumed his jab and lateral movement to buy himself a breather. His jab was especially effective when he shot-gunned it. Golovkin neglected his jab and looked to counter Alvarezs left stick with single power punches (the hook in particular). Alvarez did more moving along the ring perimeter (his back now grazing the ropes) than punching, but he got off hard shots when he did let his hands go.

Round six:

Alvarez caught his second wind in the final round, bouncing on his toes with quick one-two combinations. Muy bien! Reynoso yelled after Alvarez landed a right uppercut-right cross combination off the ropes. Golovkin grinned again and attacked Alvarezs body as the kid tried to spin away. The both loaded up with single power punches during the final minute of the round.

It was good stuff and definitely worth the trip. I wasnt the only observer who appreciated the session.

That was great, said Antillon, who is slated to challenge WBA lightweight beltholder Brandon Rios in a cant-miss barnburner on July 9. Two undefeated champions going at it. You dont see this often.
Rhodes is talented and I know hes going to be very strong because hes coming down from middleweight, Alvarez said through Sanchez. So if I can spar with a smart, powerful middleweight champion like Golovkin, in my mind, Im not going to have any problem with Rhodess ability or size.

Click to expand...

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/...-golovkin-worth-driving-up-a-mountain-to-see-
full article contains pictures and interviews with alvarez.him and rhodes is going to be a good fight:bbb

purephase · May 27, 2011

Golovkin's going to be a problem for anyone at middleweight, at least if he can ever get out of his Universum contract.

TFFP · May 27, 2011

“Alfredo Angulo is a very strong, very competitive, prideful guy who has a great team behind him, but Golovkin is on another level,” said Garcia, who says he watched three sparring sessions between the two over the course of one week. “His strength, his demeanor, his skill, everything he did in there was just too much for Angulo, which surprised the hell out of me.

“I’ve seen Angulo spar many times before and he‘s always the one doing the hurting. He’s so damn tough I’ve never seen him take a step back, let alone get hurt. I was expecting him to test this Golovkin guy that I’d never seen before, but ‘Superman’ was in there taking and giving, and he hurt Angulo a couple times, especially to the body. Angulo had to get on his bike against Golovkin, which was just bizarre to see.”

FistsOfFury · May 27, 2011

Golovkin has a great chance of beating Martinez and I'd consider him the favourite against everyone else at 160.

Mandanda · May 27, 2011

Cheers Pong that was great read!

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GYM NOTES: Alvarez sparring Golovkin for Rhodes fight

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GYM NOTES: Alvarez sparring Golovkin for Rhodes fight

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