After 36 rounds, the rivalry between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin has come to an end. There was no controversy over who the winner was in the third fight.
Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo outpointed Golovkin for a unanimous decision win. The scores were 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113.
It was a classic performance by Canelo as he successfully defended his undisputed super middleweight titles. He came out swinging against Golovkin, who moved up in weight for the first time. The 40-year-old GGG could not pick up the pace in the early rounds, but he made things interesting as the fight was coming to a close.
Canelo’s performance was praised all across social media by those in the combat sports world. Golovkin’s performance was criticized, but the Kazakhstan native was also shown respect because of his status in boxing.
MORE: Canelo ends GGG rivalry with definitive decision victory
The Sporting News compiled reactions to the fight, from discussions about the fighters to questions about the scorecards.
GGG you had a great run. Come back down to middleweight & let’s fight for those belts you still have in December or just pass em over & I’ll look after them for the next couple years while you enjoy retirement… you earned it champ.
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 18, 2022
Like many of these big fights in Boxing this one also happened a few years too late. #CaneloGGG3
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) September 18, 2022
Both showed class and respect after the fight. #CaneloGGG3
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) September 18, 2022
GGG was down 2 rounds to nothing after that national anthem. 😂 #Boxing
— Rick Ramos (@RickRamosBoxing) September 18, 2022
I love Canelo humbleness even with the bad blood between them! The bad words! It takes a lot to be that way after a fight! It’s cool to see #CaneloVsGGG3
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) September 18, 2022
That was an awesome moment between Canelo and Golovkin embracing after 36 rounds. All class.
— Dan Canobbio (@DanCanobbio) September 18, 2022
Wow! Lmao 🤣 Maybe they were lulled to sleep while scoring
— Crystina Poncher (@CrystinaPoncher) September 18, 2022
Canelo is gaining more confidence and ring command with each round. GGG needs to get some respect now. #CaneloGGG3
— Douglass Fischer (@dougiefischer) September 18, 2022
Steph Curry shares his analysis on tonight's fight 👀#CaneloGGG3
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) September 18, 2022
🎥: @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/mnMxYeC838
Canelo at 175lbs vs. Canelo at 168lbs 💪 #CaneloGGG3 pic.twitter.com/em9KV9ZpK6
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) September 18, 2022
GGG has entirely the wrong game plan
— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) September 18, 2022
If you can’t move Canelo back or out maneuver him with smart feet, you ain’t going to win. #CaneloGGG3
— Seniesa Estrada (@SeniesaEstrada) September 18, 2022
GGG is fighting old … real old. #boxing
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) September 18, 2022
High Level!
— Alycia Baumgardner (@alyciambaum) September 18, 2022
#CaneloGGG3
— Robert Flores (@RoFlo) September 18, 2022
Every time GGG comes out of his corner he looks older. Its like he’s stepping into a time machine
Canelo always had this fight in his back pocket. Not impressive. Benavidez is the real test at 168 not a 40 year old GGG.
— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) September 18, 2022