GGG vs. Canelo Preview
By Abe Chong
Vegasinsider.com
Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez
Mayweather vs. McGregor might have been the megafight that took the world by storm, but this Saturday’s bout between Gennady Golovkin and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez was the superfight that boxing fans had long been begging for.
If you’re a casual fan that was entertained by the May-Mac spectacle, you need to be watching “GGG” vs. Canelo: it is undeniably the best, most competitive fight that could be made in the sport today.
On top of that, both guys are ridiculously entertaining to watch. “GGG” is by far the sport’s most feared puncher, a one-punch knockout artist who’s been so terrifying that top guys have been ducking him for years. In “Canelo”, you’ve got a bona fide Mexican superstar, a 26-year old cultural phenomenon with brilliant technique.
Make no mistake: this is a superfight in every sense. And there’s money to be made in the sportsbook. Let’s take a look at the boxing odds at BookMaker.eu and make the best betting picks.
Odds
Gennady Golovkin -156 vs. Saul Alvarez +131
Over/under 9.5 rounds, over -225, under +190
Fight Preview
Golovkin is a moderate favorite over Canelo, but don’t be surprised if that changes in the next few days. Canelo’s got a massive fanbase that could very well swing the odds, so act accordingly.
If this fight took place just two years ago, it might have been a different story. Golovkin’s peak was likely 2014-2015, when he was in the midst of a 24-fight stoppage streak, starching guys like Marco Antonio Rubio, Willie Monroe Jr. and David Lemieux. The fight against Lemieux was particularly impressive, as he showed that he could win with ring generalship and a jab - it’s so easy to overlook GGG as a just a knockout guy.
With Canelo moving up in weight, the question here is whether he can take the shots of a bigger, ridiculously explosive power puncher. It would appear that he could - Alvarez is built like a tank and has never been knocked down. But the knock on Canelo is that he’s been handpicking guys that are smaller than him.
If Canelo can handle Golovkin’s power, then he’s got a lot of things in his favor. Atypical of a Mexican fighter, Alvarez is not an all-action, high-pressure fighter. He’s much, much more composed - almost methodical at times. That’s not to say he can’t turn it on when needed, but he’s best as a counter-puncher.
But the Mexican’s best weapon might be his experience. A veteran of over 50 fights, Canelo is an expert at scoring points and using favorable crowds to his advantage. At 26, he is nearly a full decade younger than GGG, and will have a youthful speed advantage to work his counters and score points.
How You Should Bet
In a fight that’s competitively a near toss-up, it’s usually a good idea to lean on the underdog. In this case, it’s Canelo, who will also have the benefit of the crowd cheering his every move and swaying the judges. “GGG” will make this fight extremely tough, but being ever so slightly out of his prime is going to cost him in this matchup.
The safest play here is rounds over, as both men are durable and experienced enough to make it to the final bell, but the price is a bit hefty for our tastes.
Our pick: Canelo to win at +131