Boxing: Gennady Golovkin is Better Than Canelo Alvarez, Says Trainer Nacho Beristain
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez needs to face Gennady Golovkin later this year if he wants to keep his World Boxing Council middleweight title. But for veteran trainer Nacho Beristain, Alvarez and his camp should think a lot before agreeing to face Golovkin in a title unification bout.
Beristain, who is famous for training Mexican boxing warriors Juan Manuel Marquez, said that Alvarez should not decide to face Golovkin. The veteran boxing coach said that the reigning International Boxing Federation, International Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association middleweight titlist is better than Canelo.
"In my opinion, they should not do this fight because the Kazakhstani is much better than Canelo," Beristain told Fight Hub via BoxingScene. "His style is not as flashy as that of Canelo, but he is better. He has a lot of different tactics, unlike Canelo."
Alvarez, who holds a 46-1-1 record with 32 knockout victories, won the WBC middleweight title via a unanimous decision win against former champion Miguel Cotto in November last year.
Golovkin is the mandatory challenger to Canelo's middleweight title, but WBC already announced that they will allow both fighters to face different opponents in the first half of this year.
If both fighters win in their next bouts, Alvarez will have no other choice but to face Golovkin if he wants to keep the belt. But for Beristain, he'd rather let Alvarez lose the title outsode of the ring instead of running risk of ruining his career because he thinks Golovkin could end Canelo's career.
"I think he could destroy Canelo's career," Beristain added. "Currently, Canelo is the most successful fighter of the world, and he is very important to Mexican boxing. But I think Golovkin may even force him to retire."
Golovkin, who owns a perfect 34-0 record, is primarily known for his knockout power. The 33-year-old Kazakh has recorded 31 knockout victories, including his last 21 wins. Beristain said that Golovkin's boxing skills are being overlooked and that he is still better than Canelo. In fact, the trainer is unsure how Alvarez won against Cotto.
"I personally look at boxing, Canelo did not win the fight against Cotto," Beristain continued. "I believe the influence of a lot people was the effect that allowed him to win, and not his boxing skills. In the fight with Golovkin, things will be different. Canelo's defensive skills are not enough to stand in front Golovkin for twelve rounds."
Should Alvarez defend his title against Golovkin next year? Watch fight highlights of both middleweight boxing superstars below.
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