Ring Observer Boxing by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Things are not as they seem. Outward form deceives many. Rare is the mind that can discern what is carefully concealed within. – Phaedrus
I’ve seen a lot of big fights up close and something is intriguing and illogical about this third Golovkin vs Canelo fight which was announced today in a Los Angeles press conference.
Canelo says it’s personal and he’s angry at Golovkin, because of some things GGG said about him in the media, which were not specified. Canelo even called GGG “an asshole.” Golovkin’s response to Canelo’s grudge was to say, “if he has a problem with me it’s his problem” and “If this fight is so personal for him, why did he put it off for so long?”
Very good question. As the number one draw in the sport, Canelo could have demanded this fight years ago to inflict a beating on the man he dislikes more than anyone else in the business. It almost seems like now Canelo has been forced into this fight, as if by some secret leverage GGG has used.
Whatever the reason why this fight has been arranged suddenly now, after Canelo’s loss to Bivol a month ago, is open to conjecture and we may never know exactly.
At the faceoff today, it was Canelo who looked angrier and tense and even uncomfortable (he swallowed and broke eye contact during the staredown), while Golovkin was the more confident and relaxed but also with a look of disdain and vengeance in his eye. GGG’s body language suggested, “I can’t wait to get my fists on you for all the BS you put me through.” If you ask me, I think there is an awful lot of baggage to these two rivals from behind the scenes which the public and media will never know about.
In an interview after the press conference, Golovkin said, “His behavior now shows that he’s not confident… His behavior would be different if he thought he won the second fight… He looks agitated.”
I’ve long suspected the first two fights were not on the level and Golovkin had to play soft for the giant paydays. At the first fight press conference in New York years ago I asked Golovkin about his sparring session with Canelo in LA about a decade ago, which I was told Golovkin totally dominated and destroyed Canelo, I asked if that experience would or could transfer into their first fight. Strangely, Golovkin denied it would, he actually downplayed his superiority and said anything can happen. I found that very, very odd for him to downplay and discredit his chances – and it suggested he was not allowed to perform to the best of his abilities because he had to play soft.
Both GGG vs Canelo fights looked to me like GGG had to hold back. I feel this time, for whatever reason, Golovkin, now 40, does not have to hold back and he can finally be his real self vs Canelo. And he has to use some kind of leverage to force this fight and this is why Canelo is irritated.
GGG also called Canelo “a red mouse” in a TV interview.
I know this is a lot of speculation but many super fights are like puzzles and it’s our job as pundits, insiders and experienced reporters to try to put all the pieces together.
The bottom line is Canelo vs GGG is a fascinating, intriguing super fight and based on the history of the two and what I saw today at the press conference, I’m beyond thrilled in anticipation to see what will happen when Canelo and GGG trade blows in the ring for the third time on September 17.
