Canelo-GGG2: the bad blood is not an act, it’s for real

By Boxing News - 09/14/2018 - Comments

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By Michael Montero: Thousands of fans packed the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas today for the Canelo-GGG2 weigh-ins. Due to the Canelo Alvarez Clenbuterol scandal earlier this year, this was one of the more anticipated and analyzed weigh-ins we have seen in quite some time. Months of trash talk and accusations between the fighters and their camps only added to the intrigue. While some in the media have questioned whether the bad blood was just a show for the cameras, today’s events put that speculation to bed.

The weigh-in for the first bout of the Canelo-GGG2 HBO PPV undercard went off without a hitch. Former 4-division world titlist Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez of Nicaragua made the super flyweight division weight limit, coming in at 114.8 pounds. Mexican veteran Moises Fuentes was a pound over at 116 pounds, however since Gonzalez-Fuentes is a nontitle bout, an extra pound is permitted. Yet one must question whether the extra weight could be a factor in the bout? Fuentes had to get completely naked to make 116lbs, no doubt he will rehydrate to a much heavier weight than Gonzalez tomorrow night. Meanwhile Chocolatito killed himself to make the super flyweight limit, will that cost him?

Next up was Canada’s David Lemieux and Ireland’s Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan. Both men came in on weight with Lemieux weighing 160lbs even and O’Sullivan 159.2 pounds. These two have been going back and forth on Twitter for months and fans are expecting fireworks in the ring come fight next. The fighters just thought they would get the party started early today, as a heated shoving match ensued during the stare down. O’Sullivan, sporting his old fashioned handlebar mustache, had some choice words for his opponent just seconds later. “He (Lemieux) was anxious (during the stare down) and he’s sh*tting himself right now,” said the Cork native. Then he pointed to Lemieux and said, “You’re getting knocked the f*ck out.” Don’t blink during this bout.

Tomorrow’s co-main features rising Mexican junior middleweight world titlist Jaime Munguia, who weighed in at the division limit of 154 pounds, and Canadian Brandon Cook, who came in at 153lbs. The Tijuana native turns 22 years old next month and seems to have superstar potential. He will be on the biggest stage of his career at T-Mobile Arena before the main event. The Mexican-American fans in attendance roared as he took the stage and hit the scales. After an intense stare down Cook let the fans know he was not coming in with the mentality of ‘just another opponent’. “I didn’t come here to lose,” the Ontario native said, “I came here to give the fans a fight and to win.”

Finally it was time for the main event, and after all the preliminary hoopla Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin made their way to the stage. Golovkin was first, taking his time as he walked to his trademark anthem ‘Seven Nation Army’ from the band The White Stripes. Canelo followed, making his way to the stage quick, almost seeming anxious to face his opponent. Both fighters hit the scales in the smooth and professional manner they always do, with GGG weighing 159.6lbs while Alvarez weighed 159.4 pounds. It seemed as if it would be another uneventful weigh-in from the normally mild-mannered fighters, then things suddenly went off script. Golovkin walked to center stage waiting for the traditional stare down. Canelo aggressively rushed up, pinned his forehead on Golovkin’s and walked him back. This prompted members of both teams to shove each other back and forth. GGG stood his ground and locked his eyes on Alvarez, visibly upset but keeping himself collected. After the fighters were finally separated Canelo stepped back to center stage and began shadow boxing. The crowd ate it up and social media has been buzzing since.

Make no mistake ladies and gentlemen, we have more than a prize fight for the legitimate middleweight championship of the world tomorrow night in Las Vegas. We have a fight on our hands; one brewed from bad blood between two men who not too long ago respected one another. And in a sport where

trash talk and shoving matches are often played up for the cameras to help promote fledgling fight cards, this one sells itself. This time, the bad blood is for real.