Jeff Fenech fears Gennady Golovkin is now “past it” as a global boxing star, and is tipping him to get outclassed early, and then stopped late, in his hyped trilogy bout with Canelo Alvarez.
Almost five years to the day since he was famously robbed of victory in their first world title showdown, 40-year-old Golovkin is now preparing for a third, and final, shot at his Mexican arch rival.
Speaking with foxsports.com.au this week, both Fenech and fellow Aussie great Jeff Horn backed Alvarez to win via stoppage – with the former claiming “I think the referee will have to help GGG”.
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Asked for a tip, Fenech said: “Canelo wins.
“GGG, he’s a little past it now.
“And I think a lot of the boxing public feel the same way as me.
“In recent years Canelo has gotten better and better but GGG, he is still the same fighter.
“He’s still a great fighter.
“But where once it was very competitive between these two, I think Canelo has overtaken him now.
“So I think after round two, maybe round three it will get one sided. Then there’ll be a stoppage late, between eight and 10.
“I think the referee will have to help GGG.”
Horn agreed on the outcome, adding: “I’m leaning towards Canelo.
“I actually think it’s a tough one to pick and, given they’re two big punchers, a finish is highly likely.
“I think Canelo breaks him down and stops him.”
Asked what hope he gave Golovkin of scoring an upset, Horn continued: “He’s lost a bit of what he used to have, which comes with age.
“So to win, GGG will have to land those big shots like he has done in the past.
“And that can be hard against the type of good defensive fighter we know Canelo can be.
“But if he gets those big shots through, I think he will hurt Canelo. He can go for that KO victory.”
Elsewhere, Horn said he was excited by the news that Australia’s Tim Tszyu is already in discussions for a Down Under blockbuster against Alvarez.
As revealed by Main Event this week, British promoter Eddie Hearn has opened discussions with Tszyu’s team, No Limit Boxing, about staging an Australian superfight – while also pitching Anthony Joshua for a heavyweight blockbuster at the Gabba.
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Tszyu is currently making preparations for his Las Vegas shodown with undisputed super welterweight champion Jermell Charlo on January 29.
Not so long ago, Horn was chasing a showdown with Alvarez himself.
“Everyone looks for the biggest fights and biggest paydays in boxing,” he said. “And Canelo Alvarez is the biggest name.
“So of course Tim is going to go for that fight and it’s definitely an intriguing one
“I think the key to victory for Tim would be a body assault to Canelo
“Canelo is very good defensively but Tim has extremely good body shots. So take your time, wear Canelo down, give that body assault to him and see how he handles that.
“Then you see what openings come from hurting him to the body, possibly get him to the head. It would be a great fight.”
