It is official: Canelo Alvarez will fight against Gennady Golovkin, WBA and WBC world middleweight champion, in a rematch that is scheduled to take place on September 15.
The first time Alvarez and Golovkin met was on September 2017, and it ended in a controversial draw.
There was an earlier attempt to schedule a match, but Canelo withdrew from the scheduled rematch in May after he failed two drug tests and was subsequently banned for six months. However, Canelo will be back and free to fight from August 17.
The newly scheduled rematch was also announced by Oscar de la Hoya by tweeting, “I’m happy to inform that we have a fight September 15.”
Initially, it appeared that the September fight would not push through as Golovkin’s camp did not give any replies to de la Hoya’s earlier offer. However, after some revisions, the new offer proved to be acceptable enough for both parties.
According to Alvarez, the reason he tested positive for clenbuterol during the drug tests was due to eating contaminated meat. The tests were performed on the 17th and 20th of February.
He has maintained that he did not take the substances deliberately. Alvarez said, “I am truly shocked about what has happened and for those who have doubts and suspicions about my integrity I have always been and always will be clean fighter. I want to apologize to HBO, Tecate and Hennessy and all of my other sponsors, the media and to everyone who is involved in the promotion of this event and especially to the fans. I respect this sport. I will always be a clean fighter.”
So far, Canelo has won 49 matches with 2 draws. He has one defeat, which came at the hands of Floyd Mayweather sometime in 2013.
On the other hand, Golovkin, 36, has made a record by defending his world middleweight title 20 consecutive times after fighting Vanes Martirosyan in May. Martirosyan was the fighter who was put in Canelo’s place.
So far, Golovkin is the longest-reigning current world title-holder, and has a record of 39 victories, and is unbeaten.
However, earlier this month, Golovkin was stripped of his IBF title after he failed to agree to go against a mandatory challenger.
