The sport of boxing has been in a somewhat up and down state throughout 2016. Instead of fans clamoring over exciting fights, fans have been complaining about exciting fights that should’ve taken place. But haven’t for multiple reasons. It seems as if that has become a common trend within the sport this year.
The most prominent example of this statement lays within the sought upon showdown between middleweight destroyer Gennady Golovkin and Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
The latter is a man many consider to be the face of boxing in the US and Mexico. Although he has received quite a bit of criticism in recent memory.
Golovkin currently holds the unified WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and IBO middleweight titles. While “Canelo” currently holds the WBO super-welterweight title and is one of the biggest names in the sport.
Thus making a 160-pound unification bout between the two a logical fight. Seemingly at least.
After knocking out former welterweight titleholder Amir Khan last May Alvarez brought “GGG” into the ring and challenged him to a fight.
But he then instead vacated his title and took on a relative unknown (to US fans) in Britain’s Liam Smith this past September.
Golovkin on the other hand took on IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook in the UK.
Both men have accused the other of running or ducking the fight. But the fact is that fans were not given one of the biggest fights the sport has to offer and for no logical reason to be honest.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen something like this place either. It took nearly five years for all time greats Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao to finally step into the ring with each other last year.
Instead of putting together a memorable fight when the two were at their respective peaks they locked horns when both were at the tail ends of their careers. Resulting in quite frankly a snooze fest of a fight to many.
Luckily for fight fans this unpleasant trend is set to come to an end.
This will happen on Nov. 19 when WBA, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight champion Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev meets former super- middleweight champion Andre “SOG” Ward live on HBO pay-per-view.
Kovalev vs Ward is a bout between two undefeated, top, legitimate pound-for-pound fighters both in their primes – looking to find out who the best is.
Kovalev holds a 30-0-1 professional record with 26 knockouts, while Ward, a former Olympian, holds a 30-0 professional record with 15 knockouts.
Both men are undoubtedly the best that the division has to offer and they will meet at the perfect time. The right time.
Kovalev vs Ward represents what boxing once was. A sport where hungry competitors sought out the best of the best to determine who was the cream of the crop.
Kovalev vs Ward represents what boxing should be and what boxing will hopefully once again consistently become next year.
Particularly now that a lot of new TV time was recently announced for the 2017 schedule.
Some good match ups in 2017 have also already been announced like Carl Frampton vs Leo Santa Cruz (rematch) and Keith Thurman vs Danny Garcia.
Kovalev vs Ward can be the catalyst for boxing’s current return to consistent positive momentum.