Alvarez beats Golovkin to retain undisputed super-middleweight crown, takes fight in unanimous decision
- Mexican dominates in Las Vegas in third fight between pair; one judge scored the bout 116-112 while the two others had it 115-113
- Golovkin left to rue slow start in performance which only sparked into life when it was too late
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez retained his undisputed super-middleweight world title on Saturday, seeing off Gennady Golovkin to complete their epic fight trilogy in Las Vegas.
Mexico’s Alvarez was in charge for most of an electric 12 rounds at the T-Mobile Arena, winning a unanimous decision to spark wild scenes of celebration among the Mexican fans who made up most of the sell-out crowd.
One judge scored the bout 116-112 while the two others had it 115-113.
“Thank you so much, my friend,” Alvarez said to Golovkin in the ring after a bout whose build-up was marked by some bitter rhetoric.
It was a welcome return to form for Alvarez, who suffered the second defeat of his career earlier this year after moving up to light-heavyweight to face Dmitry Bivol.
“You have to continue to move forward, I have shown that defeats can be great and you can regain your humility,” he said.
“He is a good fighter, a real fighter,” he added of Golovkin. “I am glad to share the ring with him.”
This return to 168 pounds clearly suited Alvarez, but Golovkin will be rueing a slow start in a performance which only sparked into life when it was too late.
