Gennady Golovkin

Gennady Golovkin said he expects negotiations about a third fight with Saul "Canelo" Alvarez to begin after he faces Steve Rolls at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 8.

Triple G told TMZ Sports in an interview released Saturday he believes he could level the score with Alvarez after their first encounter in September 2017 ended in a draw and their second bout last September went to Canelo in a controversial majority decision.

"Everybody wants it," Golovkin said, adding he thinks a third battle would be "more difficult" for him and "more interesting" for boxing fans.

The 37-year-old Kazakhstan native has shown no signs of slowing down despite a long fighting career that dates back much further than his 2006 professional debut. GGG told TMZ he used to fight "every weekend" starting around age seven, which helped pave the way to becoming one of the world's top boxers.

Golovkin is a monster favorite (-7000, per Vegas Insider—bet $7000 to win $100) against Rolls next weekend.

Meanwhile, Alvarez has yet to announce his next opponent after defeating Daniel Jacobs to unify the middleweight titles in early May.

It could set the stage for a third consecutive September meeting between Triple G and Canelo.

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez told reporters he's not interested in another bout with Gennady Golovkin but believes he would beat him again if fans call for them to fight a third time following his unanimous-decision win over Daniel Jacobs.

Canelo was asked about his rival after he bagged the unification win over Jacobs on Saturday, and he said a third fight against GGG will come down to the fans, per Sporting News:

"For me we're done. But if the people want another fight we'll do it again, and I'll beat him again."

Canelo on another potential fight vs. GGG.#CaneloJacobs pic.twitter.com/83Ir5mDkPY

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 5, 2019

The Mexican unified the middleweight titles in Las Vegas on Saturday, improving his official record to 52-1-2. Jacobs made him work for his win, with the final scorecards reading 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112.

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn thought a slow start cost Jacobs in a highly competitive fight:

115-113 for me in a high level fight - just the start cost Danny. Congrats Canelo a great Champ and always so proud of DJ - a great man! @DAZN_USA @SkySportsBoxing

— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) May 5, 2019

Per Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook, Canelo's past two fights that went the distance, both against Golovkin, were mired in controversy. The two middleweight kings have met twice, with their first fight scored a draw and their second a majority-decision win for the Mexican.

Sporting News' Brendan Bradford collected reactions from the boxing world after the second fight, and many thought GGG was robbed twice.

The rivalry between the two had been building for years prior to their fights. The two cleaned out the middleweight division but didn't come face-to-face for a long time. Canelo then failed two drug tests after their first bout, earning himself a six-month suspension and casting even more doubt over the result of their draw, per ESPN.com's Dan Rafael.

The 37-year-old Golovkin hasn't fought since their second meeting in September but is set to face Steve Rolls at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 8. Alvarez is 2-0 since their most recent fight, beating Rocky Fielding and now Jacobs.

By taking the IBF strap from the latter, he made Mexican boxing history:

With Canelo Álvarez's victory over Daniel Jacobs tonight, he became the first Mexican champion to hold three major world titles in a single division. Six others attempted the feat but all failed to win. pic.twitter.com/3efvJNWCZx

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 5, 2019

The Ring ranks both middleweights in the top 10 of its pound-for-pound rankings, and fans never got a satisfactory ending to either of their fights. There will likely be calls for a third bout until one of them retires, even as Golovkin moves further from his prime.

He remains the biggest name in the middleweight division outside of Canelo, and a trilogy bout would likely be the most lucrative option for the unified champion. Billy Joe Saunders and rising star Jermall Charlo are other options.

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (51-1-2, 35 KOs) will look to unify three world titles on Saturday night when he takes on Daniel Jacobs (35-2, 29 KOs) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in a middleweight superfight.

Alvarez, one of the richest athletes in the world, owns the WBA and WBC belts, while Jacobs holds the IBF title. Demetrius Andrade holds the WBO strap, and Alvarez could soon have him in his sights if he can do what's expected of him and beat Jacobs on Saturday.

Having defeated the dangerous Gennady Golovkin in a rematch bout in September (the first was called a draw), Alvarez is seeking out a new set of challenges. He beat up Rocky Fielding to win a title at super middleweight in December, but he has moved back to 160 pounds with his sights set on conquering the division. 

Jacobs has had a stellar career that's seen him win world titles and beat cancer, but he's 32 and past his prime. Beating Alvarez would be the biggest win of his career, but he will have to bring his best stuff to pull it off. 

This is a massive bout for both boxers. You could see that at Friday's weigh-in, where the simmering tensions boiled over:

Things getting heated between Canelo and Danny Jacobs ahead of their fight tomorrow 😳

(via @GoldenBoyBoxing)pic.twitter.com/zkWbrXc5ha

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 3, 2019

Here's how to watch the match.

                      

Alvarez vs. Jacobs Fight Info

When: Saturday, May 4, at 9 p.m. ET

Where: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Live Stream: DAZN, Sky Go (UK)

Odds: Alvarez -450 (bet $450 to win $100), Jacobs +350 (bet $100 to win $350)

Odds according to Oddschecker and updated Saturday at 7 a.m. ET. 

                 

The oddsmakers have Alvarez winning this bout, as do many of the pundits, writers and fellow boxers. In ESPN.com's roundup of predictions, 16 of the 17 people polled have Alvarez winning the bout. Most expect him to have to work for it, though; only three have him winning by stoppage.

In fighting and surviving Golovkin twice, Alvarez has shown that he can take a punch with the best of him. Jacobs is a hard hitter, but he doesn't pack the same force as Triple G. Unless he catches Alvarez perfectly, he's unlikely to win by knockout.

If the fight is going to go the cards, Alvarez has shown he knows how to win points. The pride of Mexico has an excellent jab and a superb sense of timing that allows him to set up eye-catching counterpunches, the kind that send his opponent's head whipping to the side before snapping back into place like a bobblehead. 

Jacobs is unafraid to mix things up, so he will have to be careful not to get caught in too many vulnerable positions when he goes on the offensive. Don't expect him to hit the canvas for a 10-count. Like Alvarez, he is one of the few men to survive 12 rounds with Golovkin, although he came out on the losing side in a narrow decision.

So how does Jacobs expect to win? By taking advantage of his natural gifts. He's taller, has a longer reach than Alvarez and has a naturally bigger frame. He'll hope to combine that with ring smarts to pull out the victory.

"What I know is that I have the physical advantages, and I look forward to using my physical advantage, my reach, my height and range," Jacobs said, per the New York Post's George Willis. "Being that I also have speed, power, and ring IQ, that's what I feel like is going to make me victorious."

It's a potent combination, but it might be too late for him to make good on his physical attributes and talents. Alvarez, 28, is in his prime and has developed into a superb all-around talent.

Whatever strategy Jacobs opts for, whether it's roughing him up inside or staying on the outside or switching stances, Alvarez has the skills to counter.

If this fight had happened a couple of years ago, it would be possible to see Jacobs pulling off the upset. But on Saturday, look for Alvarez to win a close decision on the cards.

Prediction: Alvarez by narrow unanimous decision.

Life can hardly be better for Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. He's signed the richest contract in sports history with DAZN, is in his prime at 28 years old, holds two world middleweight titles and has beaten one of the toughest fighters in the world, Gennady Golovkin. 

He's all but conquered the sport of boxing, but rather than sit back and cash in, he's taking on another challenge in IBF world middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs. 

If you had to pick another fighter other than Golovkin to dethrone Alvarez—and some would argue Golovkin did just that in the first meeting, ruled a draw—Jacobs would be the guy.

He has power in both hands, is tough as nails and can take a punch. He faced Golovkin in March 2017, losing by a narrow decision but breaking up a stoppage streak for the Kazakh boxer that had spanned nine years. Jacobs is a legitimate threat to Alvarez's reign at middleweight. 

The two will clash Saturday night in Las Vegas for a Cinco de Mayo weekend superfight. Here's how to watch.

        

Alvarez vs. Jacobs Fight Info

When: Saturday, May 4, at 9 p.m. ET (main card)

Where: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Live Stream: DAZN, Sky Go (UK)

Odds: Alvarez -450 (bet $450 to win $100), Jacobs +333 (bet $100 to win $333)

Odds courtesy of Oddschecker.com and updated May 2 at 7 a.m. ET. 

     

We last saw Alvarez in December when he was busy making his debut as DAZN's newest golden boy, pummeling Rocky Fielding to win the WBA world super-middleweight title with a third-round technical knockout.

Alvarez's journey at 168 pounds is on hold, as he is back down to a more natural fit at middleweight to take on Jacobs, with three world titles on the line.

For Alvarez and his trainer Eddy Reynoso, they have unfinished business at middleweight.

"We have a tremendous challenge in front of us, a tremendous champion in Daniel Jacobs, but this year, our goal is to sweep the middleweight division and win all four belts, and Daniel Jacobs will not obtain that goal," Reynoso said, per ESPN.com's Dan Rafael.

Jacobs has done the best work of his career at 160 pounds. Before losing to Golovkin, he racked up a stoppage streak of his own, one that spanned 12 fights in just under six years.

He defeated the likes of Caleb Truax, Peter Quillin and Sergio Mora (twice) along the way. He also beat a rare form of bone cancer during that time, earning the nickname of "Miracle Man."

He's won three fights since losing to Golovkin, his most recent seeing him take the IBF crown from Sergiy Derevyanchenko in October. It should be noted that all three fights went to decision, so it's possible Jacobs, 32, is losing some of his sting as he ages.

His mind remains sharp, however. It has to be if you survive 12 rounds with a brutal hitter like Golovkin and come close to winning. Jacobs has been studying Alvarez, and he believes he has found the key to beating the Mexican superstar.

"From his skill set, he has no weaknesses," said Jacobs, per the New York Daily News' Tony Paige, before adding "he has undereducated footwork and has a hard time with a moving target. We've created not only Plan A, Plan B and Plan C, but a few game plans to exploit Canelo's weaknesses."

Alvarez likes to stand and trade, often getting the better of his opponents with his signature counterpunching skills. Jacobs and his team apparently want to stay away from that and get Alvarez moving around the ring, perhaps chasing the action.

Drawing out Alvarez could work well for Jacobs, who is a bigger man with a longer reach, but it also has its pitfalls. When Alvarez lands, the punches are crisp and true. They can be eye candy for judges, and he only needs to land a few flashpoint blows each round to sway the judges and get a win on points.

Speaking of judges, the same three scorers who worked Alvarez's majority-decision win over Golovkin will also be judging Saturday's fight, per Rafael. That's hardly welcome news for Golovkin supporters who think their man deserved to win that fight and may be hoping Jacobs can upset the favorite. 

If Jacobs wins, it will be the signature victory he's been looking for his entire career and will earn him another massive payday or two. It will also deal a blow to Alvarez's standings in the pound-for-pound rankings. 

Should Alvarez emerge victoriously, it will only cement his status as one of boxing's elite, especially since he's shown a willingness to routinely take on the toughest competition in an era when so many potentially great fights don't get made. It will also help him move beyond the failed drug tests that led to a six-month ban in 2018, assuming there are no further failed tests. A good life will get that much better. 

Gennady Golovkin will reportedly return to the ring June 8 for a bout against Steve Rolls.

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the match set for Madison Square Garden is a "done deal."

This will be the first match for GGG since losing to Canelo Alvarez by majority decision in September.

This was the first loss in the 37-year-old's professional career after also earning a draw against Alvarez in 2017. Golovkin has won the other 38 bouts in his career, 34 by knockout, and will likely be heavily favored in his upcoming bout.

However, Rolls will not be a pushover after producing a 19-0 record in his eight-year career. Although the Canadian doesn't have a lot of experience against top competition, he is considered the IBF No. 9 middleweight in the world, per Boxing Scene.

The 35-year-old will try to use this opportunity to prove himself against one of the best boxers of his generation.

Meanwhile, this will be Golovkin's first fight with DAZN after his contract ended with HBO. He signed a three-year, six-fight deal in March that could potentially wrap up his career.

He has discussed a possible third bout with Alvarez, but first, he will need to get past Rolls in June.

DAZN added another huge star to its impressive stable of fighters Friday by signing Gennady Golovkin to a six-fight deal, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.

Mannix added that Golovkin will fight twice per year through 2021 for DAZN.

DAZN is a subscription streaming service based out of London that has become a major player in boxing since HBO's decision to drop the sport. By signing with DAZN, Golovkin will join rival Saul "Canelo" Alvarez as high-profile fighters who are contracted to the company.

Mike Coppinger Fox Sports gave further particulars regarding Golovkin's deal, including the value, which is reportedly in the eight figures per fight:

BREAKING: Gennady Golovkin signed a six-fight deal with DAZN in the early-morning hours Thursday that will pay him eight figures per fight, and see him compete twice a year, per sources. The deal will be formally announced at a news conference Monday in L.A. He’ll fight in June

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) March 8, 2019

It is unclear how closely GGG's contract resembles the one Alvarez signed with DAZN last year. That deal set a new record, paying Canelo at least $365 million over the course of 11 fights and five years.

Per Coppinger, Golovkin's signing will officially be announced at a press conference in Los Angeles on Monday, and it includes DAZN putting on two cards per year in 2020 and 2021 under the GGG Promotions banner. Those cards will not include fights featuring Golovkin.

Keith Idec of BoxingScene.com reported that the current goal for DAZN is to put on a third fight between Golovkin and Alvarez:

Golovkin's opponent for his first fight on DAZN is TBD. Let's just say it won't be someone anywhere near as good as Demetrius Andrade. Nor should it be, because the goal is for him to fight Canelo in September if Canelo gets past Jacobs (no forgone conclusion, obviously).

— Keith Idec (@Idecboxing) March 8, 2019

In order for that to happen, Alvarez must beat Daniel Jacobs in May, and GGG must come away victorious in his first DAZN fight. It isn't yet clear who GGG might clash with to begin his DAZN contract.

Golovkin and Alvarez met in both September 2017 and September 2018. The first bout was somewhat controversially ruled a split-decision draw and featured one judge giving the fight to Alvarez by a 118-110 margin despite it appearing to be close.

In the rematch, Alvarez beat Golovkin by majority decision and handed him the first loss of his career.

The 36-year-old Golovkin is 38-1-1 as a professional, and he also won a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics for Kazakhstan. GGG is perhaps the biggest star in boxing aside from Canelo, which makes signing him a major coup for DAZN.

DAZN is already gaining a great deal of traction among hardcore boxing fans, but if it manages to put together a third fight between GGG and Canelo in the near future, that could go a long way toward drawing casual fans into buying the service as well.

Canelo Alvarez announced Thursday he will fight Daniel Jacobs on May 4. 

Es oficial, #CaneloJacobs este próximo 4 de Mayo. pic.twitter.com/IMYETfBpp0

— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) January 17, 2019

"I will unify my middleweight titles against Daniel Jacobs on one of the two most important dates that belong to me," Alvarez said of the fight, per the Los Angeles Times' Lance Pugmire. "I have no doubt that I will be victorious and that I'll be one step away from becoming the undisputed middleweight world champion."

The fight will be part of Alvarez's five-year deal with DAZN that commits him to 11 bouts for the streaming service. According to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, Jacobs struck an agreement with DAZN for three fights, including his date with Canelo.

Alvarez earned a majority decision against Gennady Golovkin last September in what was a rematch between the two stars. Although a third battle would undoubtedly be a big moneymaker for everyone involved, both Alvarez and Golden Boy Promotions chairman Oscar De La Hoya played down the prospect in December.

Pugmire reported Golovkin has received offers from DAZN, ESPN and Premier Boxing Champions as he weighs his next move. Not only has DAZN presented Golovkin with the "biggest" offer of the three, per Pugmire, but it would also open the door for a third installment of Canelo vs. GGG.

In the meantime, Jacobs should be a tough challenger for Alvarez. The 31-year-old is 35-2 with 29 knockouts, most recently earning a split decision victory over Sergiy Derevyanchenko in October. He claimed the IBF middleweight championship by virtue of the result.