GENNADY GOLOVKIN once wanted to fight so badly that he would put on a STONE for any challengers.
After a successful amateur career that won him an Olympic silver, the Kazakh puncher made it to professional life in 2006.
Canelo Alvarez and Eddie Hearn, promoters, and Gennady Gorlovkin
Golovkin embarked on an incredible trip across Europe and South America, before making his Stateside debut in 2012.
His reputation was already well-known by then, due to his fierce fists. He also found few willing competitors.
GGG was already the champion at the 11st 6lb limit for middleweight, but he was willing to push his limits to reach 12st 7lb light-heavyweight to make a match.
Golovkin said to SunSport that it was difficult, very difficult to get fights. We tried at 168 and 175 but people refused to fight.
"I recall people like Canelo. They signed paperwork, made documents and then decided to take off their belts so they wouldn't fight me.
"So, no matter what people may say, we still recall the time those people remained silent and wished nobody would make me fight them."
In 2016, Golovkin won their interim belt and was placed in a WBC mandated position.
He was guaranteed a shot at Canelo alvarez. However, the Mexican star Miguel Cotto vacated it a year later.
Golovkin stated: "He boxed Cotto, and they signed an arrangement, basically admitting to the fact they were going to be fighting me. It was mandatory.
"Then they both refused."
Golovkin was forced to wait another year before Canelo could be in the ring. However, he was still disappointed.
The 2017 boxing match was contentious, but many felt GGG had been robbed of a historic win.
The rematch was a success, but Canelo won the bragging rights with another razor-thin decision.
He has been boxing's most popular attraction for many years, winning four divisional belts.
Golovkin, 40 has remained at middleweight and is still waiting for a great trio with his arch-rival.
Canelo, 32 years old, was undisputed champion at supermiddleweight in 2021. However, Canelo moved up to light-heavy in May.
Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez drew in 2017
Gennady Gorlovkin beat Canelo Alvarez in 2018's rematch
It ended in defeat for Dmitry Bivol (31), who managed to overcome all odds and retain his WBA belt.
It allowed Golovkin to finally redeem himself. He will be lifting up to 168lb this weekend in Las Vegas, live on DAZN.
Johnathon Banks, GGG's trainer, believes that fans will be in for a treat only Canelo or GGG can offer.
Banks stated that he believed the fight would be a little different. Style-wise, I believe Canelo will come in the same way as the second fight.
"He's going in hands up trying to drag him down, and I think G will be right there. Wherever he goes back or lateral, he'll be in position to punch.
Triple G is one the most difficult fights for Canelo style-wise, temperament-wise, and because of their workrate.
"I believe that's why it took so much time to get this fight around for the third round, it was a really hard fight.
"I believe they bring something out of one another, each fighter allows the other fighters do certain things.
"But some fighters make one better than the other, and I believe these two guys, it is something about them, that makes the other one more vicious."
Canelo and Gennady Alvarez ahead of their Trilogy
