GGG vs Canelo: Anthony Joshua, Kell Brook and Carl Frampton join The Panel to give their predictions
Sunday 17 September 2017 06:43, UK
Gennady Golovkin faces Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez this weekend in a middleweight super-fight and our panel of experts have made their predictions...
'GGG' and 'Canelo' will collide in a Las Vegas showdown, with the WBC, IBF and WBA 'super' titles at stake, and two of the sport's finest fighters are expected to produce an epic encounter.
But will it be Golovkin or Alvarez, who is crowned middleweight king in the early hours of Sunday morning? The Panel have made their picks.
Carl Froch
Golovkin gets hit far too much - and I used to get hit too much - which is not always a bad thing, because you are putting yourself into position to retaliate and land your counter punches. Against 'Canelo', who is big and strong, he might come undone, because if he does not get Alvarez out of there, he could end up losing on points.
If he does not get Alvarez out of there, he could end up losing on points.
At some point, Golovkin has to go forward and land some telling shots. As soon as he starts connecting on Alvarez's chin, I reckon he will get an effect, so it's important that he lands quite a few shots early on, body and head.
I reckon 'GGG' vs 'Canelo' is going to be a great, close fight, and I have a feeling that 'Canelo' is going to win on points, because Golovkin gets hit too much.
Kell Brook
It's hard to say, but I am leaning towards 'Canelo'. He has excelled over the years; his variation, speed and his youth - everything is going to play a big factor on Saturday night. I still think I showed a blueprint on how to beat Golovkin and it was touch-and-go if he won the fight with Daniel Jacobs.
The game plan is definitely to box this guy at distance I would say, exchange at times, but get on your bike a lot of the time until the second half of the fight. That's what I would tell 'Canelo'.
I see 'Canelo' out-boxing him and getting 'GGG' frustrated. There will be exchanges at some stage, but I can see 'Canelo' surviving them, boxing clever and smart. He's been looking fantastic in training. I just see him beating him on points, producing a clinical win.
Anthony Joshua
I'm 'Team Alvarez', 'Team Mexico'. I've loved Alvarez for a long time, I like GGG, but I do really like Alvarez. Long live 'Canelo'.
Young, a lot to achieve still, but he's achieved so much at a young stage. His attitude towards the sport, he doesn't disrespect it and he's a real ambassador, I love 'Canelo'. I love 'GGG' as well but before him I supported 'Canelo' and that's where my heart lies.
Ryan Rhodes
'Canelo' has got exactly what you need to defeat 'GGG'. He's got everything - he can box, he can fight, has got great hand speed, puts his punches together. 'GGG' is there to be hit and believe you me, 'Canelo' will hit him.
I think 'Canelo' wins and I think he wins on points. I don't think it will be a wide decision, but I do think Alvarez will win by two or three rounds.
Johnny Nelson
I've gone for 'Canelo' from day one and I am not changing my mind. Tell me if I am wrong, but Golovkin is one dimensional. He'll walk forward, walk you down, he's strong as an ox and punches like a mule, so what you see is what you get.
I don't see this going the distance, because these both hit far too hard just to 'hurt' each other.
'Canelo' though, in that loss against Floyd Mayweather, he showed he can box and has decent ring craft as well as power. There is a lot more to him than Golovkin. I don't see this going the distance, because these both hit far too hard just to 'hurt' each other. I can see 'Canelo' getting him out of there, around six to eight rounds.
David Coldwell
I keep changing my mind on it. But I think Canelo is fresh, he's sharp, he's clever, and he is looking like an absolute beast. Once he gets hit hard by Golovkin, that might all change, but I just think he's the better all-round fighter, with a great boxing brain and a very good jab.
I just think he's the better all-round fighter, with a great boxing brain and a very good jab.
I'm leaning towards 'Canelo' in a great fight. I should say points, because of the calibre of the fighters, but I do think with the accumulative effect of the punches, 'Canelo' might stop him late.
Carl Frampton
Golovkin is probably my favourite fighter right now, but I think he loses this. I didn't want to say that, but I just think 'Canelo' has that little bit extra you need to beat someone like that.
Both have very solid chins and even though Golovkin is obviously a monstrous puncher, I think this is going the distance. It will be close and competitive but I think 'Canelo' nicks it on points.
Kal Yafai
I always go with Golovkin and while I am a big admirer of 'Canelo', I am going to stick with 'GGG'. I am not going to change my mind, like a lot of people have done, even if I do think we might see a more cautious Golovkin.
It might be a bit nervy early on and of course, 'Canelo' can out-box him for the first few rounds, but as soon as he gets too close, he will get hit. It might go a bit longer than usual for Golovkin, but it will still be goodnight 'Canelo', somewhere around six or seven.
Jamie Moore
When it was first made, I went for Golovkin but the more I've seen of 'Canelo', I am going the other way. People have always put the argument out that 'Canelo' is a bit one-paced and struggles with stamina, but I think a massive part in that was the weight.
Golovkin has looked beatable and I am going for a shock - for the first time in his career, he will get put on the floor.
He always looked tight at the weight but at middleweight he will be a different beast. Golovkin has looked beatable and I am going for a shock - for the first time in his career, he will get put on the floor. He'll get up and go again, but I can only see Canelo winning on points.
