With days to go until the third part of the rivalry between Saul Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin it is worth remembering the great moments that have marked this path. Five years ago, in September 2017, their first fight, which ended in a draw, took place in Las Vegas.

For many, “GGG” started as the big favorite due to the fact that he held the World Boxing Association (WBA) and IBF middleweight belts, in addition to having knocked out 23 of his last 24 opponents in clear evidence of his power, which made him go through the best moment of his career. 

The Kazakh was 35 years old and among his victims were the likes of Daniel Jacobs, Kell Brook, Willie Monroe Jr. and Daniel Geale, among others. 

“Canelo” was WBC champion and had just made a fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a previously agreed weight. He had defeated good opponents such as Miguel Cotto, Erislandy Lara or Amir Khan.

The Mexican, 27 years old at the time, was going into one of the toughest fights of his career but he felt confident to face the challenge.

Both showed great physical conditions, went to the exchange and showed great pride in the ring, but in the end they ended up drawing in a fight with good action and excitement from start to finish that was just the opening of their great rivalry. 

Five years later, they are in the same city to face each other for the third time and the expectation remains intact. Since that first fight they have made it clear what they are capable of and people always want to see more.