Marvin Hagler vs. Tommy Hearns in 1985 and Bernard Hopkins vs. Felix Trinidad Jr. in 2001 were two of the more highly anticipated middleweight title fights over the past few decades, and both lived up to the hype.
Hagler stopped Hearns inside three vicious rounds. Hopkins took apart the undefeated Trinidad, stopping the Puerto Rican superstar in the 12th round.
Saturday’s middleweight title fight between champion Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez is another of those fights being eyed with tremendous excitement. That will only mean something if it doesn’t stink up T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (on HBO pay-per-view).
“Yes, without a doubt this can be one of the best fights in history,” Alvarez said. “On paper, obviously, it’s going to rival some of those big fights that you mentioned. But it really depends how the fight comes out, how it pans out.”
Alvarez vows if the bout is lousy, he won’t be the one to blame.
“I’m going to do my part to make it memorable so it can go down in history as one of the best fights,” he said. “I know that for sure. I’m going to do my part.”
In Golovkin’s mind, he and Alvarez have a duty they must fulfill.
“This is a big day not only for us, but for boxing and this era,” said the unbeaten champ from Kazakhstan. “This will be a huge, historic fight at T-Mobile Arena. I feel comfortable. I see that Canelo is ready. He is ready for serious business, a serious fight. This fight will be the biggest gift to the people.”
All along, these two have said they want to make certain this fight lives up to expectations. What’s expected is some heavy-hitting drama between the two best middleweights in the world.
Fighters sometimes say that during a promotion and don’t always mean it. We flash back to the 1999 welterweight title fight between Alvarez’s promoter – Oscar De La Hoya – and the aforementioned Trinidad.
The fighters said it would be a ring war between the two greatest 147-pounders. Apparently only Trinidad had the intention of making it that way. He stalked De La Hoya, who boxed in and out for nine rounds before running the final three.
Trinidad won a majority decision. Even though most on press row had De La Hoya winning – yours truly scored the fight a draw – those same reporters were not happy with the way De La Hoya conducted business that night at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
The bout went from being potentially highly charged to little more than a dud.
In Saturday’s case, I do believe we’re safe. Golovkin, 35, would never run from anybody. Even if Alvarez, 27, wanted to because of how hard Golovkin hits – and we’re not saying he would – he’d never be able to return to his native Mexico if he did.
We do expect Alvarez to move some, though, because it’s doubtful he can stand toe-to-toe with Golovkin without enduring some misery.
Speaking of De La Hoya, even though he double-crossed us 18 years ago, we believe some of what he says when assessing Saturday’s showdown.
“This is a 50-50 fight,” he said. “Both guys are explosive. I mean, look, when you have two guys that are at their best, like, these type of fights bring out the best in you.
“Canelo’s going to look much better than he did in any other fight. Golovkin’s going to look much better than he did in any other fight. Whoever lands that punch.”
Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) could end this fight with one well-placed punch to the chin or liver. For Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 KOs), it would likely take an accumulation of punches for him to stop Golovkin inside the distance.
Although we don’t discount Alvarez, we’re sticking to our prediction: Golovkin by late-round stoppage.
Heck, we don’t even care if that goes the other way. As long as this fight packs the punch it should, it’ll be all good.
Joseph Diaz Jr. braced for change
The semi-main event of this card was supposed to feature Joseph Diaz Jr. of South El Monte against Jorge Lara of Mexico in a featherweight title-elimination bout. Lara pulled out Tuesday, and in stepped Rafael Rivera of Tijuana.
Diaz is ranked No. 1 by one governing body and No. 2 by another. He has a lot to lose. Rivera has everything to gain.
“I had a great 10-week training camp,” said Diaz, a 2012 U.S. Olympian. “We were supposed to fight Jorge Lara, who was a tough opponent. But, unfortunately, he ended up pulling out.
“We’ve got another tough opponent, Rafael Rivera ahead of me. He’s a young, undefeated fighter and I know that he’s going to come out guns blazing and wanting to pull an upset because he’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Diaz, 24, is 24-0 with 13 knockouts. Rivera, 23, is 25-0-2 with 16 knockouts.
Etc.
Also on the undercard, former bantamweight champion Randy Caballero (24-0, 14 KOs) of Indio will take on Diego De La Hoya (19-0, 9 KOs) of Mexicali in a super bantamweight bout. Marlen Esparza, a 2012 U.S. Olympian from Houston, will put her 2-0 record on the line against Aracely Palacios (8-7, 1 KO) of Mexico in the flyweight division.
