Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs. Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin — POLL
Gennady “GGG” Golovkin is a minus-150 favorite over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in Saturday’s middleweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena. The total is 9.5 rounds (over minus-250). Here’s a survey of opinions from Review-Journal staff members, other media, oddsmakers and professional handicappers:
Anthony Avellaneda, El Tiempo: Golovkin by KO (11th)
Golovkin’s experience is a factor in his favor, and he has much more quality skills.
Brian Blessing, SportsbookRadio.com: Golovkin by TKO (Fifth)
Canelo has proven he can go the distance, which is a plus, but GGG has too much power in his arsenal.
Bill Bradley, Review-Journal: Alvarez by split decision
This bout will truly live up to the hype as a great fight with both sides claiming victory before the judges’ cards are handed down. Of course, this will make it that much easier for a rematch.
Joe D’Amico, Aasiwins.com: Golovkin by TKO (11th)
Not only has Alvarez never had to face power like that of Golovkin, but his weight gain is going to compromise his speed. GGG knows that with Floyd Mayweather retired, he can become the biggest draw in the sport.
Todd Dewey, Review-Journal: Golovkin by decision
Triple-G won’t knock out the proud Alvarez, but has enough left in the tank at 35 to win a close decision.
Chuck Esposito, Sunset Station sports book director: Alvarez by decision
Alvarez wins a majority decision in what will be an extremely close fight that sets up the rematch in 2018. I’m looking for the first three rounds to resemble the Hagler-Hearns war.
Doug Fitz, Systemplays.com: Golovkin by decision
Golovkin prevails in a hard-fought match that goes the distance.
Ed Graney, Review-Journal: Golovkin by TKO (10th)
Putting the over-under at F-bombs on the De La Hoya kid’s tweets at 2.5 when his Golden (Boy) Ticket goes down.
Andreas Hale, Yahoo Sports: Golovkin by KO (10th)
It’s going to look a lot like Cotto-Margarito, where the punishment piles up after a fast start by Canelo.
Adam Hill, Review-Journal: Alvarez by decision
If this fight had been booked when it should have, Alvarez would be in a lot of trouble. He has only agreed to the bout now because he noticed like the rest of the viewers that Golovkin might have lost a step.
Mark Franco, FrancoSports.com: Golovkin by TKO (Ninth)
Triple G is going to be too powerful.
Bernie Fratto, BernieFratto.com: Golovkin by TKO (10th)
Canelo has never faced a boxer with this combination of skill and power. I expect GGG to control the fight with his jab and an array of brutal power punches. Canelo will land some shots, too, but will sustain the brunt of the damage.
Sam Gordon, Review-Journal: Golovkin by split decision
Golovkin’s raw power will wear down Alvarez over 12 rounds.
Keith Idec, BoxingScene.com: Alvarez by split decision
I’m expecting a controversial ending by the Nevada judges.
Robert Johnson, Review-Journal: Alvarez by decision
Canelo learned more from getting embarrassed by Floyd Mayweather than he did in all 49 of his wins, and since then he has become a more complete boxer.
Jay Kornegay, Westgate sports book director: Golovkin by decision
Golovkin is simply the better fighter, stronger and has a lot more power. GGG wears down Canelo but can’t quite put him away.
Dana Lane, DanaLaneSports.com: Golovkin by decision
Thirty-three of GGG’s 37 fights have ended in a stoppage with a streak of 23 straight ending in his last fight against Daniel Jacobs. Alvarez will make it a tough choice at the end, but Golovkin gets the decision.
Allen Leiker, Review-Journal: Golovkin by decision
Two knockout punchers will trade blows for 12 rounds and we’ll get our fight of the year.
Bryan Leonard, @BLeonardSports: Golovkin by KO (Eighth)
Triple G has just too much power.
Ed Malinowski, Stratosphere sports book director: Golovkin by decision
Golovkin in a close decision. I’m expecting Alvarez money to drive this line down, so wait until Saturday to bet GGG.
Gilbert Manzano, Review-Journal: Golovkin by decision
Believing that the judges will give it to GGG if it goes to the cards might be a little crazy, but Golovkin’s jab and footwork will make it clear he’s winning the rounds.
Bruce Marshall, GoldSheet.com: Alvarez by decision
Canelo, motivated by the possibility of a new TV commercial with Stallone, by a close, perhaps split, decision. Then get ready for the rematch in 2018.
Jason McCormick, Red Rock sports book director: Golovkin by split decision
Competitive fight goes the distance and tough-to-call bout sets up a rematch in May.
Tony Nevill, TI sports book director: Golovkin by KO (Eighth)
Golovkin will pound on the pinata, known as Canelo Alvarez. The fight will end early, and Mexican Independence Day will be celebrated quickly with Canelo and Rocky Balboa sharing a cerveza in the hot tub afterward.
Wes Reynolds, @WesReynolds1: Golovkin by KO (12th)
This should be the best big-time fight in years. Canelo is more in his prime than he was vs. Mayweather, but he’s never fought a guy with the power of GGG.
Jay Rood, MGM Resorts sports book director: Golovkin by KO (10th)
If these two come with all they have, it could be as close as we get to Hagler-Hearns. GGG wins in the 10th round by KO, as Canelo is gassed after putting in a couple of aggressive rounds.
Harry Ruiz, Telemundo Las Vegas: Alvarez by decision
Alvarez picked the right time to face Golovkin, and he’s on the rise and only getting better.
Bryan Salmond, Review-Journal: Alvarez by split decision
Even though “Triple G” has more than 400 amateur fights, Canelo wins because he dwarfs Golovkin in championship experience, having fought Mayweather, Cotto and Mosley.
Ken Thomson, SportsXRadio.com: Golovkin by TKO (Eighth)
Like Mayweather-Pacquiao, this fight took too long to take place, but at 35, Triple-G puts his whole career on the line. He’s a winner, and he’ll show his precision boxing skills and raw power.
Matt Youmans, VSiN.com: Alvarez by decision
It’s no surprise if Triple-G wins this slugfest by knockout in the later rounds, but boxing needs Canelo to be the face of the sport for the next several years, so if it goes to the judges expect a controversial decision.
Picks: Golovkin 21, Alvarez 9
