Mark your calendars for September 16. Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez are finally going to fight.
After months of speculation and failed contract negotiations, both Golovkin and Canelo made the announcement with a video promo package after Canelo cruised to a unanimous decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
While no specific details about the mega fight were announced except for the date, it is likely that the fight will be for Golovkin’s unified middleweight world titles. Canelo currently holds the WBO light middleweight title, but has not defended it since beating Liam Smith for the title late last year.
The announcement came near the end of Canelo’s post-fight ring interview with HBO’s Max Kellerman, when Kellerman said that there was a video package to be shown. After a brief message by Golovkin wanting to fight Canelo, the world middleweight champion made his way into the ring where he had a face-off against Canelo.
"GGG, you are next my friend. The fight is done," Canelo said through a translator. "I've never feared anyone, since I was 16 fighting as a professional. When I was born, fear was gone."
Golovkin said he's ready for the opportunity to square off in what is described by many as the biggest boxing fight since Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao.
"I feel very excited," Golovkin said. "Right now is a different story. In September, it will be a different style - a big drama show. I'm ready. Tonight, first congrats to Canelo and his team. Right now, I think everyone is excited for September. Canelo looked very good tonight, and 100 percent he is the biggest challenge of my career. Good luck to Canelo in September."
Golovkin is coming off a close decision win over former WBA “regular” world middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs at Madison Square Garden back in March.
The two had been discussing and negotiating a fight for last fall, but talks fell through in favor of holding the fight in September. By that point, no deal had been official to hold the fight later this year, but after the Canelo vs. Chavez Jr. fight, the two middleweight titans are now destined to meet in the ring next September.
Credit to ESPN for the transcription of the quotes.
