Canelo Alvarez's Strategy and Triumph Over GGG: A Deep Dive into the Fight

Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin (GGG) fought three times, marking their rivalry as one of boxing's most memorable. Their most recent bout, on September 17, 2022, concluded with Canelo winning by unanimous decision. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how Canelo secured the victory:

Effective Aggression

Throughout the fight, Canelo Alvarez demonstrated effective aggression. He applied constant pressure, forcing Gennady Golovkin (GGG) to engage. His strategic use of cutting off the ring and cornering Golovkin allowed him to land more significant punches.

Body Shots

Canelo focused his tactics on body shots, a strategy that not only scored points but also gradually slowed Golovkin down. This approach helped to wear down GGG’s stamina, giving Canelo a psychological edge as the match wore on.

Counterpunching

A hallmark of Canelo’s style is his admirable counterpunching skills. Throughout the fight, he managed to evade many of Golovkin’s powerful punches and land precise counterattacks. These quick and accurate responses impressed the judges, contributing to his overall victory.

VOLUME AND PRECISION

One of Canelo’s strongest suits is his ability to maintain a higher punch output with better accuracy. His combinations, including hooks, uppercuts, and jabs, consistently scored points, making him an effective fighter in the ring.

JUDGES’ DECISIONS

The fight went the full 12 rounds, and the judges scored it in favor of Canelo, reflecting his superior performance throughout the bout. The judges recognized his strategic prowess and the impact of his tactics on the outcome of the fight.

Analysis of the Second Fight

In their second encounter, Canelo made a significant change in his approach. He stood and traded more punches instead of just counterpunching. This change in tactics resulted in the rounds being perceived as more even, which altered the judges' perception of the fight.

This shift in strategy emphasized Canelo's adaptability and his readiness to test Golovkin’s defenses head-on. By being proactive, Canelo was able to change the narrative of the fight, making it appear more competitive, which is crucial in the eyes of the judges.

Why Canelo Won

The fight was held in Las Vegas during Mexican Independence Weekend, in front of a highly pro-Mexican crowd at T-Mobile Arena. As a 28-year-old with plans to continue fighting in Las Vegas for the next 5-10 years, it was strategically advantageous for Canelo to retain his status as a Mexican fighter. A win for a 37-year-old Kazakh fighter would have been unfavorable for several reasons, including crowd dynamics and media perception.

In the end, Canelo’s combination of strategy, skill, and experience allowed him to secure the win over GGG in their third encounter. His adaptability, coupled with a keen understanding of the impact of his actions on the crowd and judges, were key factors in his triumph.