Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin Talks Canelo Alvarez, Whether He’ll Retire After Their Third Fight

Six months ago, most boxing observers wouldn’t have given Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin much of a chance going into this third fight with Canelo Alvarez. After all, Golovkin, who was approaching 40, had been away from the ring for more than a year, and Alvarez somehow looked better and better each time he fought. It was an easy call to predict that Alvarez pulverizing Golovkin was distinct possibility.

But now, the optics have changed. Alvarez is coming off a loss to Dmitry Bivol and Golovkin impressed in April when he knocked out Ryota Murata in Japan. Even though Golovkin is still a solid underdog (he’s +400) for his Sept. 17 undisputed super middleweight championship matchup vs. Alvarez, some pundits have renewed hope that this fight will be as competitive as the first two times they met (the first was a hugely controversial draw, and Alvarez won a close decision in the second).

Golovkin (42-1-1, 37 KOs) certainly thinks so. I spoke with him a few weeks ago, and Golovkin talked to me about his retirement plans, about moving up to the 168-pound division and about whether he plans to change his boxing style.

Here was our conversation via an interpreter, lightly edited and condensed.

Josh Katzowitz: What did you think of Canelo fighting Bivol?

Gennadiy Golovkin: I have not seen the fight. I haven’t watched it.

JK: When you see a technical boxer like that beat Alvarez—and knowing that Alvarez also struggled with guys like Erislandy Lara and even Austin Trout, guys who were also very technically sound—that’s pretty interesting.

Golovkin: I would agree with you on that. That fight showed Canelo can be delivered a loss without his opponent scoring a knockout.

JK: I know Bivol’s style is not your style, and you clearly had success in both of your fights against Canelo. But after the Bivol fight, is there an inkling in your brain that says, “Maybe I should switch it up just a little bit? Maybe I should box a little bit more, like Bivol did?” Or are you just going to fight how you’ve always fought?

Golovkin: I don’t think I need to make any drastic changes to my style. I don’t need to be like Bivol to get any advantage or any edge over Canelo. This fight is going to take place in a different weight class [Note: Alvarez is moving down from 175 pounds to 168]. I’m sure Canelo will take it more seriously. He’s going to basically go back to reality. My goal is to show my best.

JK: Now you’re going to 168 after spending your career at 160. How do you feel at a new weight class?

Golovkin: I’m taking it very seriously. I work a lot; I work hard. There’s a big difference between 160 and 168. That 8-10 pounds is very significant.

JK: Do you feel stronger? Is it going to make you better?

Golovkin: I wouldn’t say I feel any distinct differences, that I’m stronger or faster. I feel great at 160. I feel strong. I feel fast. It’s somewhat different at 168. Like, I feel a little heavier. But I have more presence.

JK: What’s the end goal if you beat Canelo? Has retirement crossed your mind, or would you want to start the process of defending all those titles?

Golovkin: I will, of course, make the decision based on the situation. If there is an opportunity to keep all the belts, I might try to do that or go back at 160 to unify. Nobody has done it before. It depends on the situation.

JK: Has retirement crossed your mind?

Golovkin: [Laughs] I retired right before the pandemic from an athletic standpoint. I’m just fooling around right now. It’s time to play. That’s what I’m doing.

JK: I’m a Hall of Fame voter, and I think you’re going to be a first-ballot inductee, no question. But are you still thinking about legacy, and if you don’t get a win, are you going to feel that you’re tarnished somehow because of your three fights with Canelo?

Golovkin: I don’t think the results should affect my career in any way. It would definitely not tarnish my career, whether it would be a loss or a win. I don’t know what criteria people are using to vote for Hall of Famers. I’m asked this question, but I would suggest not to consider this fight.

JK: Why’s that?

Golovkin: I’ll clarify. During my long career, I have had a lot of achievements. The biggest number of knockouts in the middleweight division, the most number of title defenses. I’ve been the most avoided fighter in the middleweight division. Canelo vacated his belt in order not to fight me. I believe I deserve to be there. For those obvious reasons, that’s the case.