Saul “Canelo” Alvarez secured a decisive middleweight and super-middleweight rivalry win over Gennadiy Golovkin across three bouts between 2017 and 2022. The Mexican star systematically adapted his tactics, targeted the body, and controlled the progression of their trilogy.
Their first meeting on 16 September 2017 ended in a controversial split draw. Golovkin entered the contest unbeaten in 37 fights and spent much of the night pursuing Alvarez, forcing the Mexican star onto the ropes with a steady jab. Despite many observers favoring Golovkin, the judges produced a split result, highlighted by Adelaide Byrd’s contentious 118–110 card for Alvarez. Crucially, Golovkin landed only eight body punches during the entire fight, leaving his head-hunting attack predictable.
A four-month postponement before the September 2018 rematch ultimately worked in favor of the younger fighter. Alvarez stood his ground in the center of the ring, forcing Golovkin onto his back foot. The distinction in body work proved decisive. Alvarez landed 46 punches downstairs compared to just six from Golovkin, helping him secure a majority decision victory by scores of 115–113 twice and 114–114.
Golovkin changed trainers in April 2019, replacing Abel Sanchez with Johnathon Banks to add movement. Yet age gradually eroded the aggressive pressure that once defined his best years.
By their final clash on 17 September 2022, time had decided the outcome. A 40-year-old Golovkin moved up to super middleweight for the first time, having fought just once in the previous 21 months. Alvarez dominated the opening eight rounds, earning a unanimous decision win to finalize the trilogy. Golovkin never fought professionally again, later becoming president of Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee before his election as president of World Boxing in November 2025. Alvarez maintained his super middleweight reign until Terence Crawford defeated him in September 2025.
