Canelo Álvarez’s rivalry with Gennady Golovkin reaches the ultimate standard of modern boxing excellence this weekend when these vaunted fighters complete a trilogy.
From Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier to Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, most of the great rivals in the sport’s recent history have engaged in at least three memorable bouts. Only the most compelling matchups can attract fans for three meetings, and the sagas often define the fighters’ careers.
It’s tough enough to make one bout between top boxers in this fractured promotional era. But when two elite fighters follow one compelling show with another, they’re sometimes rewarded with a chance at boxing immortality — and hopefully the riches that come with it.
The first two fights of this trilogy have qualified for history. Álvarez and Golovkin fought to a contentious split draw in 2017 even though most ringside observers thought Golovkin deserved the victory. Álvarez handed Golovkin the only loss of his career in the 2018 rematch by a razor-thin majority decision that also infuriated Golovkin.
“I’m glad we are fighting for a third time, because I want to leave no doubt about who is the best,” Álvarez said. “I know he feels the same way, and that’s what makes the best fights.”
Four years after Álvarez and Golovkin staged their second meeting, they’ll conclude their trilogy in Las Vegas on Saturday night. This high-level rivalry has a chance to join the best, even if it hasn’t featured the knockdowns and blood that characterize most of the others.
Before Álvarez and Golovkin settle the score, here’s a look at some of the greatest trilogies (or more) in the past half-century of boxing, in no particular order:
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier
The gold standard of trilogies, both because of the fighters involved and for the way they fought. Frazier won the first meeting between two unbeaten heavyweight champions in 1971, one of the most anticipated events in sports history. Ali won the rematch by a narrow decision in 1974, and he also won the sensational third matchup — the Thrilla in Manila — when Frazier trainer Eddie Futch stopped the brutal bout after the 14th round.
Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward
Two relentless brawlers with iron chins and inextinguishable wills created a classic rivalry. Their first brawl in May 2002 is still a sensationally barbaric chapter in boxing history and an all-time favorite fight among many fans. Ward won a close majority decision, and Gatti evened the series with a decision six months later. Ward claimed the bruising third bout by majority decision again, and both fighters ended up in hospital trauma units.
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran
These two greats clearly brought out the best in each other. Duran won their initial bout in 1980, but Leonard dug deep to become a tougher, harder-hitting version of himself. He demonstrated it in the rematch when he forced Duran to turn his back and quit in the eighth round of the famed “No más” fight. The third bout nine years later was an anticlimax, but Leonard cemented his superiority with a decision.
Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Erik Morales
Two Mexican greats gave their all in three bouts over nearly five years, providing the defining moments of both fighters’ careers. Morales won the all-action first meeting in February 2000 by split decision, infuriating Barrera. Barrera won the more tactical second bout by unanimous decision, infuriating Morales. The third meeting in November 2004 was a razor-thin majority-decision victory for Barrera in another unforgettable slugfest.
Jeff Harding vs. Dennis Andries
