While the official results state otherwise, Gennady Golovkin doesn’t mince words when you ask him about his vicious fight with Canelo Alvarez two weeks ago.
“I did not lose the fight,” says the former middleweight champion.
Two out of three judges thought otherwise and in another controversial result for boxing, Alvarez was named the winner by majority decision in their dramatic rematch Sept. 15 in Las Vegas. While judging a boxing match can be incredibly difficult, nuanced, and, of course, subjective, the fact that Golovkin is 0-1-1 after two matches against Alvarez doesn’t sit well with many boxing observers, not to mention GGG himself.
“He was more aggressive this time, but he still did not back me up and he did not do enough to take my titles,” Golovkin told us.
We were supposed to connect with Golovkin the day after the fight at a special happy hour hosted by one of his sponsors, the luxury watchmaker Hublot, but he was still recovering from the hardest fight of his life less than 24 hours prior. Hublot first got into the world of boxing in 2012 and the partnership between one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters and the luxury brand can be seen front and center on the trunks Golovkin wears in the ring.
“Gennady Golovkin is a remarkable champion both in the ring and out!” Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe told us. “For years, Hublot has been connected to athletes and entertainers that are all legends in their fields making this partnership with GGG a seamless fit. GGG is inspiring, professional, humble, and is a successful boxer. Moreover he is a self-made sportsman.”
The middleweight superstar was gracious enough to answer questions via email about the aftermath of his first professional loss, including why he felt he won the fight, whether he’s really down to face Canelo a third time, and why it was so cool to see LeBron James sitting ringside.
(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)
Why did you feel you won the fight?
I landed more punches and the harder punches. He was more aggressive this time, but he still did not back me up and he did not do enough to take my titles.
You seemed to have a surge of energy in the second half of the fight. Did trainer Abel Sanchez say anything special between rounds to motivate you?
We followed our plan and strategy.
Many have speculated that your age (36) may have factored into the loss. Safe to assume you don't feel that way so why is that criticism unfair?
I did not lose the fight. People are just trying to find an excuse and that is why they speculate with my age.
You and Canelo showed great sportsmanship during the fight. Is thebad blood over between you two or do you expect it to remain?
We both are professional athletes and did what we had to do being in the ring.
You said you would fight Canelo a third time under the right conditions. I understand the second fight just happened, but what would those conditions generally be?
The conditions should be right for both sides for there to be a third fight.
How much attention do you pay to the caliber of celebrities—like LeBron James—that come out to see your fight?
Interest in athletes such as LeBron James is a huge motivation for me and having those athletes at the fight it is good for the image of boxing.
What current athletes outside of boxing do you enjoy watching and why?
In general I enjoy watching different sport tournaments and competitions. I always watch NHL, NBA, NFL games and don’t miss tennis and golf.
Why has Hublot been such an important partner over the years?
Hublot is a great high quality brand which represents modern, stylish masculine look. Also, the best works with the best.
