Canelo vs GGG - Predictions and Commentary from Previous Opponents

The Biggest fight in Boxing is finally within touching distance as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin prepare themselves for, what could be one of the bouts of the decade.

The best fighting the best means there’s a tangible excitement building and people in the fight game have taken to social media to have their say. Some of the two boxers previous opponents have recalled their encounters with them and indicated how they think the fight will be won or lost.

Canelo vs GGG – Predictions and Commentary from Previous Opponents

Martin Murray

British boxer Martin Murray lasted until the eleventh round with the fearsome Golovkin. However brave, he simply couldn’t keep the man from Kazakhstan at bay. Murray had expected GGG to punch hard and go to the body but what he hadn’t banked on was the ferocity of his booming right hand. Murray compared it to: “Like I was having a baby.” Whilst he may look back on the comment and smile, he certainly isn’t joking about the power he felt.

https://twitter.com/boxnationtv/status/907695566544498688

GGG has a very good record against British fighters having also beaten Matthew Macklin with his trademark crippling body shots and stopping former Welterweight World Champion Kell Brook who gallantly tried to fight fire with fire against the Kazakh puncher.

Whilst GGG is revered for his punching power and knockout reputation, there are plenty of boxers who can pay testament to Canelo’s strength and heavy shots. Amir Khan, who managed to move well and show his speed early in his encounter with Canelo, was undone by the Mexican’s power which left him motionless on the canvas.

Matthew Hatton

Another boxer suffered at the hands of Canelo was Matthew Hatton; the only British fighter to have taken him the distance. Back in 2011, Hatton (brother of former world champion Ricky Hatton) lost via unanimous decision, but the encounter won’t be forgotten by the brave Mancunian who admitted that, after 30 seconds and a mean left hook, thought: “Jesus Christ what am I doing here?”

https://twitter.com/boxnationtv/status/906834160769052673

Floyd “Money” Mayweather

Undefeated boxing kingpin Floyd “Money” Mayweather has not sat on the fence with his prediction for the GGG-Alvarez showdown. Mayweather has been strong with insisting Alvarez will knock GGG out. This probably won’t surprise too many as Mayweather has fought and beaten Alvarez while fending off proposals of a fight between himself and Golovkin. A Canelo win would somewhat vindicate his decision against fighting the Kazakh.

https://twitter.com/punchdrunkpauly/status/905117643367038978

Ryan Rhodes

A fighter who has nothing but admiration for ‘Canelo’ is former opponent and World Light Middleweight title challenger Ryan Rhodes. Having faced him for the WBC title in Mexico, Rhodes documents his preparation for the fight insisting there were no excuses. With a perfect training camp and good acclimatization, he says that he tried everything but the then 22-year-old was “unbelievable” and now having developed even more described him as “A different animal”.

https://twitter.com/boxnationtv/status/905353629158170624

Andy Lee

From boxers who have no doubt on the outcome to those who just can’t split them, it’s such a difficult call which seems to be the reason why it has grabbed the attention of the sporting world. Epitomized by this exchange between former middleweight champion Andy Lee and former cruiserweight Champion Enzo Macarinelli. Welshman Macarinelli tweeted that he had changed his mind and is now backing GGG; having originally predicted a victory for Canelo.