Canelo/GGG: Trilogy ends with a whimper

The trilogy ends with a whimper.

The pre-fight hype was pretty effective. Check out our top boxing odds.

DAZN, the online network that aired the pay-per-view bout, had wanted the fight a few years ago.

They had signed Gennadiy Golovkin to a six-fight contract in 2019 – with the thinking being a third fight with Canelo Alvarez was right around the corner. It turned out to be a pretty long corner.

The problem was when it happened; it was too late. Golovkin, who looked partially over the hill three years ago, had climbed further up said hill since.

He was barely a shadow of his old self.

Check out our top sportsbook providers for betting on boxing

1.

4.6/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $200 in Bonuses Instantly!

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. Wagering offered by DK Sportsbook. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 6/28/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

2.

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed – When You Bet $5 for 7 Days!

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, KY, WV). Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.gamblersanonymous.org . Must be 21+ in NJ, PA, MI, or WV. $10 first deposit req. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus spins which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. Contact 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

3.

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.

4.3/5

Fanatics Review

10 x $100 bet match in FanCash

USA Players Welcome

Bet now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

5.

Caesars Review

Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets

USA Players Welcome

Best Alternative

Open DraftKings

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

“Golovkin is not the same as before,” said the great Roberto Duran to Fight Hub TV. “I saw him washed. His mind didn’t help him. He didn’t think well. In boxing, you have to think a lot.”

I agree and disagree with the ex-champ. Golovkin is past it, for sure, but his mind is still there, it’s just he can’t react fast enough to the messages his brain is sending him.

Washington Post writer Shirley Povich remembered how Joe Louis looked near the end of his career.

“His reflexes dulled, and the ring lights above exposing the round bald spot making headway on his scalp.”

Against Alvarez, Golovkin looked sluggish and reluctant.

Yes, reluctant.

To engage.

Last April, Golovkin stopped former titleholder Ryota Murata in nine rounds but didn’t look very good.

Perhaps boxing fans and writers were comparing him too much to his younger knockout self – or he was overrated in his salad days.

Golovkin’s resume is not as impressive as Alvarez’s, but Golovkin was 30 when he debuted in America.

I’ll never say Golovkin is a great boxer. His fights (due to shrewd management) turned into events. A few years ago, he knocked out 20 successive opponents. He was exciting to watch.

I have no doubt (after watching the fight numerous times) that he beat Alvarez five years ago. The second fight was closer – a draw would have been fine.

Golovkin talked about retirement days before his third fight with Alvarez. After losing to Alvarez, walking away would have been fine.

Not surprisingly, Golovkin had no interest in talking about quitting anymore.

“Remember guys,” Golovkin said. “I still have three belts at 160. I’ll come back, guys. I’m still champion, guys.”

After admitting Alvarez won the third after the bout, his words changed.

“I don’t feel that I lost the fight,” said a translator. “I don’t think about the loss. It’s not something that like is on my mind right now because it was a great fight, and it was a very clean fight, as you noticed. And we did not allow any mistakes. And the fight was very competitive. And especially in the second half, I felt I was better than my opponent.”

No, and secondly, the third fight with Alvarez was NOT great. Not even good.

The bout was reminiscent of the third bout between Sugar Ray Leonard and Duran.

Many called it a yawn fest.

Many were right.