Canelo Álvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin fought three times on Mexican Independence Day weekends in Las Vegas. The first fight, in 2017, was a split draw with one of the most criticized scorecards in modern boxing. Canelo won a majority decision in the 2018 rematch to take Golovkin's middleweight titles, and a unanimous decision at super middleweight in 2022.
Canelo leads 2–0–1. This page covers all three fights, the doping suspension that delayed the second, a statistical comparison and our verdict.
Head-to-head record
Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennadiy Golovkin: Canelo 2–0–1. Every big-event meeting between the two, oldest first.
| # | Date | Event | Venue | Match | Result | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 16, 2017 | Canelo vs. Golovkin | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | WBA, WBC & IBF middleweight titles | Split draw | 118–110 Canelo, 115–113 Golovkin, 114–114 |
| 2 | Sep 15, 2018 | Canelo vs. Golovkin II | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | WBA, WBC & Ring middleweight titles | Canelo Álvarez won | Majority decision (115–113, 115–113, 114–114) |
| 3 | Sep 17, 2022 | Canelo vs. Golovkin III | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | Undisputed super middleweight title | Canelo Álvarez won | Unanimous decision (116–112, 115–113, 115–113) |
Every match: our commentary
Canelo vs. Golovkin · Sep 16, 2017
Golovkin, the unbeaten champion, pressed forward behind his jab for 12 rounds while Canelo landed hard counters and moved off the ropes. Most observers had Golovkin winning narrowly. Judge Adalaide Byrd's 118–110 card for Canelo caused uproar, and the draw let Golovkin keep his titles.
Canelo vs. Golovkin II · Sep 15, 2018
Canelo changed tactics and walked Golovkin down, trading in the middle of the ring instead of countering off the back foot. It was a closer, more violent fight than the first, and two judges gave it to Canelo, ending Golovkin's reign.
Canelo vs. Golovkin III · Sep 17, 2022
At 40, Golovkin moved up to 168 pounds and was slower to start. Canelo won the early and middle rounds clearly before Golovkin rallied late, but the result was never in doubt.
The backstory
The rematch was set for May 2018 and cancelled when Canelo tested positive for clenbuterol, which he blamed on contaminated Mexican beef. He was suspended for six months, and Golovkin's camp accused him of cheating, which turned a respectful rivalry into a bitter one.
By the third fight four years later, both men admitted they disliked each other. They embraced afterward.
Tale of the tape
| Canelo Álvarez | Gennadiy Golovkin | |
|---|---|---|
| Height / reach | 5 ft 8 in · 70.5 in | 5 ft 10.5 in · 70 in |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Olympics | — | 2004 silver |
| Record after fight 3 | 58–2–2 | 42–2–1 |
| Titles | Undisputed super middleweight champion; four-division champion | Unified middleweight champion |
By the numbers
| Head-to-head stat | Canelo Álvarez | Gennadiy Golovkin |
|---|---|---|
| Wins vs. each other | 2 | 0 |
| Judges' cards won | 6 of 9 | 1 of 9 |
| Rounds boxed together | 36 | 36 |
How fans and critics reacted
The 2017 draw was widely criticized, and Byrd's card was condemned by many in the sport. The rematch was received as a better fight and was widely praised.
Golovkin's supporters still argue he won the first fight and could have won the second; Canelo's argue the trilogy answered the question.
Our take
Canelo, 2–0–1 on paper. In our view the first fight was a Golovkin win and the second a coin flip, so the trilogy is closer than the record. But Canelo won the fight that took the titles and the last one.
Our view: the best middleweight rivalry of its generation, and a reminder of how much judging matters.
Our verdict: Canelo Álvarez.
FAQ
Who won Canelo vs. GGG?
Canelo leads 2–0–1: a split draw in 2017, a majority decision win in 2018 and a unanimous decision win in 2022.
Why was the second fight delayed?
Canelo tested positive for clenbuterol in early 2018 and was suspended for six months, so the May 2018 date was cancelled.
More rivalries
Sources: Wikipedia: Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin · Wikipedia: Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin II · Wikipedia: Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin III. Facts verified Oct 18, 2026.