By: Ken Hissner
Two of the best Eastern European boxers in this writer’s opinion were treated unfairly by the judge’s in their title bouts in the past two years. I am speaking of former world light heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev from Russia and former world middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin from Kazakhstan while both are now living in the US.
Questionable decisions have been part of boxing since day one I am sure. When Kovalev lost to Andre Ward in their first meeting in Las Vegas, NV, in November of 2016 it was a very unpopular decision to a great deal of boxing people. In their rematch in June of 2017 Ward didn’t leave it up to the judges stopping Kovalev and then announcing his retirement from boxing.
In November of 2017 Kovalev was able to get the WBO World title back though losing it in August of 2018 by knockout to Colombian Eleider “Storm” Alvarez, now living in Montreal, CAN, by knockout. I understand like in the Ward situation Kovalev’s management are trying to get a rematch with Alvarez.
In the case of Golovkin in his first meeting with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in September of 2017 in Las Vegas, NV, he was held to a disputed draw split decision. Again, a most unpopular decision from boxing people in general.
No information at the time came out about Alvarez’s urine test afterwards showing any doping. It wasn’t until February 17th of 2018 when he was to have a rematch with Golovkin that he was suspended after being tested for doping. That usually carries a one year suspension but it was reduced to a six-month suspension by Caroline Bateman, a Nevada deputy attorney general. After the six-month suspension was up Alvarez and Golovkin had their return match last Saturday in Las Vegas, NV. Once again the judge’s decision was controversial giving Alvarez a majority decision win.
Whether there will be a third Alvarez-Golovkin fight may be determined by the promoter for Alvarez one Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions. There is probably a 50-50 chance of that happening with it being rumored Alvarez will be fighting in December.
With these three bouts all being in Las Vegas, NV, was it a coincidence? The rematch Saturday had judges from NV, CT and NJ. The CT judge had the bout 114-114 while the other two had it 115-113 in favor of Alvarez. Again, the decision was disputed by many fans and boxing people.
All three bouts were held in Las Vegas and both boxers were born outside the US. Coincidence? It seems the old saying “follow the money trail” comes to mind to this writer. So, Ward has retired after his two bouts with Kovalev and Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler wants a rematch.
In both cases at present there is another coincidence being the last names of both the people Kovalev and Golovkin lost to in their last fights are both named Alvarez. Only in boxing?
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