1 ) He will have beaten a top opponent at age 35 when his opponent is 27! This is very rare in boxing history. 2 ) He will have made 19 title defenses middle weight, closing in on Hopkins record of 20! 3 ) He might be viewed by Ring Magazine as the #1 pound for pound fighter. 4 ) He retain the WBC, WBA, IBF, and This content is protected the Ring Magazine Lineal title. 5 ) And of course, he'll still be UN-DEFEATED. 6 ) As a bonus, Canelo has never been stopped in 51 fights....will GGG be his first stoppage loss?
Man, I want GG to win tonight and then beat Saunders so he is the unified champ. We need more of 'em in Boxing.
He's supposed to win, though. This is supposed to be his moment to shine under the big spotlight where he showcases his talent.
3 years ago it was a sure thing. Now GGG is 35 and has slowed down a bit. That's why Canelo is taking the fight now.
I think Canelo's chances will be even better next year when GGG, turns 36 and gives Canelo's the chance to avenge tonight's loss.
I don't think he's slowed down all that much. He may have slowed down a bit, and Canelo may have even improved a bit. But I still think this is a fight that Golovkin should win. I'm a bit baffled that experts seem so evenly split on this one. As you mentioned, it was viewed as a mismatch a few years back. But a loss for Golovkin here would do more harm to his reputation/legacy than a victory would improve it. Because this still is a fight that Golovkin is supposed to win (and I believe he will win, and have always believed that).
People need to realise that GGG wasn't himself going into the Brook fight, he looked really ill. Against Jacobs, Danny was borderline coming in like a Cruiserweight. If GGG is on form, this won't go halfway.
Which experts??? Latino boxing analysts might be forced to pick him if they value the massive fan base Canelo has. U.K. Based boxing people tend to great eastern euro champions with more antipathy than needed. Finally those who want Hopkins to have the record for middleweight title defenses are pulling for Canelo. Best guess. The haters take it on the chin tonight. GGG has slowed down a bit. If he looses cleanly it's a mild set back. However if he is robbed....
Golovkin hasn't slowed down, he's slow and methodical. Kell Brook was a much quicker more athletic WW, Danny was a much quicker more athletic MW. They just simply showed his speed level. Canelo will have a significant handspeed advantage and despite the fact that he doesn't move alot, Canelo is going to have a footspeed advantage. Golovkin's attributes arent speed. They're his power, chin, and ability to cut off the ring.