SENTINELCELTS

For those seeking something different than the “ beautiful “ game this weekend , Las Vegas brings us the first of two combat mega fights in the space of three weeks . For fans of either genre that will be on display the upcoming battle’s are simply unmissable.
Action fans reading this I personally strongly suggest you tune in to be entertained or at least check out later .

The “ Sport of Kings “ is on display this upcoming weekend and will be broadcast in the very early hours Celtic Park time of approx 5am Sunday morning . In the rematch that is a pugilists dream two nationalities known for their toughness clash again only there is a lot more depth to it than the first meeting .
Mexico’s red haired warrior Saul “ Canelo “ Alvarez “ is set to take on Kazakhstan’s Grenady “ Triple G “ Golovkin once more.

The Mexican middleweight came into the first bout having suffered only one defeat at the hands of maybe the GOAT Floyd Mayweather but it was his physique that got tongues wagging . He showed up bulked and ripped to a level yet displayed by him and his neck was bullish to say the least . Matched with the Mexican boxing style ( toe to toe,with machismo and technique ) and at 8 years the younger one would be hard pressed to find a more formidable opponent .

All of that did nothing to phaze , even in the slightest , his opponent .
At 36 the Kazakhstan native should be over the hill but if he is its hard to tell . As tough as old leather he gave off the essence of confidence . To me he looked in peak physical form but then being his biggest fight to date he should be . If I were to sum him up he’s an efficient grind em down ,knock out machine and has yet to taste defeat in the squared circle .

Ironically those analysing the first bout afterward’s would proclaim the Khazak’s style more “ Mexican “ than the actual Mexican’s , who for the first time fought on the back foot. After a bright start where he gained the better of the feeling out process he proceeded to give up the center of the ring and be chased ,using footwork to great effect avoiding the onslaught . This caused the majority Latin crowd to boo their “ hero “ on occasion , something previously unthought of .
Many felt it was a formality the Kazakhs hand would be raised but a split decision seen the contest officially called a draw to a chorus of boo’s and much head shaking .

Controversy soon struck though and a couple months later whilst negotiations for the rematch were ongoing Canelo was flagged up for failing 2 random drug tests, both for the same illegal performance enhancing muscle stimulator , clenbuterol . Immediately the suspicion was raised of his new found physique . His defence was a restaurant had served them tainted beef , an excuse that had been argued successfully before as certain farmers have been known to bulk up their cattle with the product in his native homeland . As a multi millionaire aware of this issue though many were and are sceptical . The governing bodies take the view that the athlete’s themselves are responsible for their intake .

The sports governing body subsequently found him guilty of using a banned substance and issued a ban from the sport for a meager 6 months due to the tainted meat argument . The reality is the ban has had little effect as the break essentially allowed him to train longer and harder for this rematch . His older opponent gained another year, and lost money hanging around in limbo.
The rematch itself was in doubt several times with a furious Golovkin demanding an equal split of the purse now and not accept the smaller cut he had previously . For the first time Alvarez came under pressure from his native fan’s to fight the “ real “ way and pressure came from the entire sport which was questioning his reign as “ the biggest face in boxing “ .
Eager to regain the spotlight and insistent that tainted meat and not deliberate juicing was the root of the issue , equal terms were agreed to and this Saturday see’s part 2 of the battle with both claiming they are going to win now they know the other’s limits.
Sparks could and should fly . I cant wait .

Heres the full first fight

Mahe the Madman
Email sentinelcelts@gmail.com @sentinelcelts