Álvarez was too young, too strong and too driven for Golovkin – a once great world champion who is now a 40-year-old man in the unforgiving ring. Under the glaring lights and the impact of Álvarez’s powerful jab, Golovkin cut a subdued figure from the start of a one-sided fight. He was unable to impose himself and, especially in the first seven rounds, he looked like an inconsolable version of the previously formidable middleweight champion who dominated his division for so many years. Instead, Álvarez began his work with fire and force. He was aggressive, if occasionally wild, and pushed Golovkin away repeatedly. By the end of Round Five, the old man looked lonely on his stool in the corner, his face flushed and a swelling forming under his right eye. Álvarez continued to land meaningful punches and it looked like Golovkin would need to rely on all of his considerable bravery to survive a slow and methodical loss. But, to his credit, Golovkin dug deep and there were fleeting bursts of effective work from him. Álvarez was dragged into a real fight in the ninth and tenth rounds when, finally, Golovkin let his hands fly. He fought with real purpose and determination for those six minutes because, unlike the hapless judges, he realized that he needed something special to try to change the pattern of the fight. Golovkin landed some jabs, even backing Alvarez up against the ropes. But in those hotly contested exchanges, Alvarez was still throwing punches in return. Both rounds could justifiably be awarded to Golovkin – but they were his only real success of the night. Canelo Álvarez lands a right hand during Saturday’s fight. Photo: Joe Camporeale/USA Today Sports He tried to build on that momentum but, on the final stretch of the race, Álvarez cruised home comfortably. Despite the caveats of Golovkin’s age and disappointing performances, he can claim this victory as one of his most satisfying in a professional career that began when he was just 15 years old in 2005. Álvarez has a troubled history at the T-Mobile Arena, which was once again electrified by his raucous Mexican fans. It was here, in May, that he lost for only the second time in 17 years when he was knocked out by Dmitry Bivol. Álvarez had moved up in weight to challenge Bivol for the light heavyweight world title and, while the clear frame remained that he was a much smaller man, the big Mexican’s aura was badly tarnished. Bivol exposed him and let him down. Of course, Golovkin had already undermined the fledgling Canelo hype-machine when he fought Álvarez at T-Mobile for the first time five years ago this week. Golovkin won this fight in the eyes of most reasonable observers, but the Las Vegas judges scored it as a damaging controversial draw. Exactly one year later, in September 2018, they returned to the same ring and Álvarez overshadowed a very close decision in less controversial fashion. It was clear that, at the time, he and Golovkin were two champions of almost equal value. Over the next four years, Alvarez seamlessly ascended to the status of a cash-strapped boxing master who also became the cash cow of this greedy old business. He proved to be an excellent technician, becoming as interesting outside the ring as he was between the ropes. But Golovkin’s shadow still hung over him. It seemed typical of boxing that a third fight between them would have to be delayed for years while Golovkin, who hails from Kazakhstan and is not as marketable as Canelo, labored in comparative obscurity. Golovkin and his supporters believed that Álvarez, who is a shrewd businessman as well as a ruthless boxer, was simply waiting for his older rival to reach middle age before they met again. Álvarez, at 32, is eight years younger than Golovkin and the age difference was evident on a painful night for the older man. The only real injury Álvarez suffered was to his left hand, which he revealed after the fight could require surgery. But next May, he will likely turn to the far more dangerous test of trying to get the better of Bivol – who is neither old nor ring-worn. Golovkin’s own future in the ring is far less certain. However, we must not forget that, for most of his career, he was a relentless and ferocious world champion. He was just as good, and possibly better, than Álvarez during their first two fights. But on a dark night in Las Vegas, Golovkin looked like a ghost of his former self. At the end of their trilogy, a triumphant Álvarez hugged and comforted his defeated old rival – as if to tell him there’s no shame in succumbing to time and the harsh realities of boxing.
