Canelo On Golovkin: “The Respect That We Had Was Lost”

By: Sean Crose

“That’s the way I want this fight to end,” Canelo Alvarez claimed during a Wednesday conference call to promote his highly anticipated rematch with Gennady Golovkin on September 15th, “by knockout.” The first fight between the two top middleweights went down last year in Vegas, only to end in a controversial draw. Although most feel Golovkin deserved to win the first fight, Canelo clearly feels the initial experience of facing Golovkin in the ring will pay off for him this time. “Any error he makes,” said Canelo, “I’m going to take advantage of.”

Much was made during the call of last winter’s positive test for Clenbuteral, which led to a suspension for Canelo and the pushing back of the rematch from May until September. Since testing positive for the banned substance, Canelo has seen his reputation clouded by suspicion. Golovkin, for one, has openly made it clear he feels Canelo is a cheat. “The respect that we had was lost,” Canelo said of his formerly cordial relationship with his foe. “This will help me to give 100%, to give that extra push.” The Mexican star does not, however, plan to face Golovkin overheated with emotion. “I’ll go in with a cold and clear mentality,” he said.

“I’m very bothered and angry” Canelo claimed, “of their (team Golovkin’s) accusation…I’m going to use that anger intelligently.” Although the past few months have clearly not been easy for the man, Canelo asserted that there was a plus side to the entire experience. “I learned a lot,” he said. “I learned who’s really there for me.” Aside from the drama of testing positive for a banned substance, the fighter will now also enter the ring without having fought in around a year. Not that it bothers him. “I feel well and I don’t think the year off will affect me at all,” he argued, arguing that stays fit between camps.

Although the rematch is weeks away, there’s already been word circulating of a third fight between Canelo and Golovkin. For his own part, Canelo was cool to the idea on Wdnesday. “Personally, for me,” he said, “I want it to end here.” Canelo pointed out that he wants matters settled definitely this time around. “I know Golovkin is not an easy opponent,” he said, referring to the first match. This time, however, Canelo argued he’s more confident. “I learned that I could knock him out (the first time). I learned that I could hurt him.”

“He’s a respectable puncher,” Canelo said of his foe, “with respectable power, but he’s nothing out of this world.”