By Ben Jacobs
Those that predicted that Gennady Golovkin would comfortably beat Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez should they meet may have a different opinion after Golovkin’s tense victory over Danny Jacobs last Saturday. While Golovkin got the decision, various respected observers of the sport felt that New Yorker Jacobs had done enough to warrant the win.
Speaking in Manchester while in the United Kingdom for the Jorge Linares vs Anthony Crolla rematch, matchmaker Roberto Díaz of Golden Boy Promotions reaffirmed his belief that ‘Canelo’ has the upper hand should the two men square off.
“You have to respect Golovkin for what he’s done in boxing, Díaz told BoxingScene.com. “A lot of the time it’s his trainer, his trainer talks more than the fighter which I’ve never liked because at the end of the day it’s about the fighter.
“As soon as they are ready to accept the fight… the actions will speak louder than words. Obviously I am biased because we promote ‘Canelo’ but it’s nothing to do with Saturday’s fight with Jacobs. I have a strong belief that ‘Canelo’ will beat him. He (Golovkin) was created to be a monster and he is a hell of a fighter. But a lot of times, fans and media create this monster image, but let’s see.
“It’s been great matchmaking until now. Fighters have gone in scared, already beaten or they are made to make him look amazing. He had a fighter in there last Saturday who was there to win. He can move, box, punch, and we saw the difference. They say ‘Canelo’ fights little guys, yet Kell Brook was two divisions smaller, he dared to be great. He lost to a bigger man but not necessarily a better man.
“I felt Jacobs won the fight. Going in you don’t expect what you get so anything outside of that you think is a victory. But I’ve known Danny since the beginning of his career, did the majority of his fights and when watching you hope he can do it.”
