Canelo Changing up Training Routine for Golovkin Rematch

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin collided in September last year at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, finally giving boxing fans the fight they had so long desired, between the two biggest stars in the sport.

In an interesting, tactical affair in the Nevada desert, it was Kazakhstan knockout artist ‘GGG’ that looked to have done more than enough to earn a deserved points victory on American soil, having outgunned his Mexican opponent over 12 intriguing rounds.

However, the judges had other ideas and produced one of the most highly controversial decisions in recent years. One judge scored the bout in favour of the reigning middleweight kingpin Golovkin, but another bizarrely handed Canelo a dominant victory, while the third scored it level.

Such scorecards saw the fight end in a split draw, causing widespread criticism and disbelief from fans and pundits alike, with Golovkin being robbed of his finest hour in the ring, after all of the build-up and waiting for this mammoth super-fight.

Alvarez had been able to fend off and withstand some of the aggressive attack from his intimidating foe in the squared-circle, but he had been constantly on the back foot and looked to be struggling in the latter stages of the bout.

In a bid to change this and make sure he can go the full distance, if needed, the Mexican superstar has since outlined a plan to undertake some new measures in his training camp for the rematch with Golovkin. But, as it was in the initial meeting with the Kazakh brawler, Canelo will enter the ring as the 6/4 outsider to prevail in the latest boxing odds.

Having appeared to run out of gas towards the end of the clash with ‘GGG’ in Las Vegas, Alvarez is now hoping to undergo a new cardio regime in this current camp for the pair’s second scuffle.

The fiery-headed 27-year-old still believes he own their first encounter by at least a couple of rounds, but does think he has things to change in his preparation and approach.

“I’ve watched it around 10 times and I think I had a very good fight. I won the fight by at least two points. I think that, to try and be more convincing, I just have to throw more shots and nothing else.

“We are now looking into the idea of training in the mountains of Colorado, to be at a higher elevation to gain more conditioning,” Canelo outlined.

“We are looking for a truly convincing victory [this time around]. That’s why we’re going this time and we’re going to try and prepare for an even more active fight. I will give the best of myself in this training camp so that the fight is easier for me.”

The Mexican’s efforts to gain more conditioning in higher altitude is nothing new in the sport, with many fighters undertaking this approach, and Canelo will hope it can be a decisive factor needed to edge out Golovkin this time on May 5.