By Keith Idec
LAS VEGAS – Oscar De La Hoya has taken a lot of criticism from frustrated boxing fans and skeptical reporters over the long-awaited Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin showdown.
They simply didn’t believe, based on how Alvarez avoided Golovkin in 2016, that De La Hoya was telling the truth when he promised his promotional company’s cash cow would finally fight Golovkin this September. Once the fight was officially announced in the immediate aftermath of Alvarez’s 12-round domination of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, De La Hoya didn’t hesitate to gloat.
“Just as you saw in the ring, the fight is signed, sealed and delivered with Triple-G,” De La Hoya said. “So anybody who still wants to doubt, you can talk to my [public relations] director. But it’s signed, sealed and delivered. And I’ve always stated that Triple-G will happen in 2017.
“I’ve always stated that, ever since about a year ago, when everyone was asking, ‘Why are you afraid of Triple-G? Why is this not gonna happen?’ I told everybody it’s gonna happen in September [2017]. And we’re extremely proud and happy and excited that this fight is gonna take place on September 16th, anywhere around the world. I don’t know yet.”
Alvarez also made sure to let the assembled media know that he knew all along that he would challenge Golovkin for his IBF/IBO/WBA/WBC middleweight titles.
“I’m very happy that this fight is finally here – the one that a lot of you said would never be made,” Alvarez said. “I’m very happy to give the fans another great fight, which is the only thing I want in my career.”
The 26-year-old Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 KOs) told Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) in the ring following his sixth-round knockout of England’s Amir Khan last May 7 at T-Mobile Arena that he would fight him next. He took two more fights – easy victories over England’s Liam Smith and Chavez – before finally agreeing to face Golovkin.
Whatever occurred and however long it took, Golovkin is just pleased Alvarez accepted the fight.
“Everybody’s excited,” Golovkin said. “I’m very happy. Right now, for us, it’s the biggest fight in boxing. Please, don’t miss this fight. Enjoy it.”
After watching Alvarez in his past three fights, Golovkin realizes he is in for perhaps an even tougher fight than Daniel Jacobs gave him March 18 at Madison Square Garden. Golovkin’s 23-fight knockout streak ended that night, but he won a close unanimous decision.
“I think everyone understands right now that this is a very difficult fight for both of us,” Golovkin said. “I think we’re two great champions. Who wins, he’s No. 1 in the world, maybe pound-for-pound. … This is an amazing fight for everybody.”
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.