Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin Rematch: Betting Odds Favor GGG In Fight

Whether or not you agree with the judges’ decision of a draw in the fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, one thing is clear: there needs to be a rematch. The middleweights went to war for 12 rounds in the best boxing match of 2017, and it only makes sense for them to run it back in 2018.

The betting odds for the rematch are almost identical to the odds entering the first fight. Golovkin is a -165 favorite, and Alvarez is a slight underdog with +135 odds, via OddsShark.

Alvarez didn’t do enough to warrant becoming the favorite in a second fight. He fought well enough in the estimate of some to warrant a draw, though the general consensus is that Golovkin outboxed the Mexican fighter. Even those that might’ve given the edge to Alvarez would agree that the 118-110 scorecard by judge Adelaide Byrd was egregious, and the crowd at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena became irate when it was announced there was no winner.

Golovkin was a perfect 37-0 with 33 knockouts entering the biggest bout of his career. He landed more punches than Alvarez in all but two rounds, totaling 218 punches to Alvarez’s 169. Alvarez had four more power punches (114 to 110) than Golovkin over the course of the fight, landing more significant shots in seven of the 12 rounds.

Known for his power, Golovkin was actually the better boxer, utilizing his jab and applying pressure, especially over the final three-quarters of the fight. Alvarez landed just as many, if not more, meaningful punches, going to the body and showcasing his superior counterpunching skills.

Golovkin ate Alvarez’s best punches with what looked like a chin of steel, and the underdog withstood GGG’s vaunted power better than anyone ever has. Neither fighter backed down at any point, exchanging blows and proving why they are considered among the best boxers in the world.

Forget about determining a true winner. Boxing fans simply want to see Golovkin and Alvarez go toe-to-toe at least once more.

“The fight was so good, we feel it merits a rematch and we'll sit down with [Golovkin promoter] Tom [Loeffler] this week to discuss a rematch,” Eric Gomez of Golden Boy Promotions told the Los Angeles Times Monday.

“Everyone involved in the fight — whether you thought Canelo or Gennady won — saw it as close and exciting. That's what merits a rematch.”

A rematch isn’t guaranteed. Alvarez didn’t exactly jump at the chance to say he wanted a second shot at Golovkin in his post-fight press conference. Golovkin’s promoter, Tom Loeffler, indicated to BoxingScene that a fight with Miguel Cotto before the year is out might be on the table for his fighter.

But a rematch seemingly makes too much sense on both sides for one not to get done.

Golovkin will easily earn the biggest payday of his career for fighting Alvarez, who is the sport’s No.1 draw now that Floyd Mayweather is retired. Alvarez sold over a million pay-per-view buys when he fought Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in May, and his fight with Golovkin is expected to do anywhere between 1.5 and three million buys when the final numbers come out.

The controversy, excitement and money generated by Alvarez-Golovkin I almost ensures that Alvarez-Golovkin II is on its way.