When Will Canelo Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin Fight Again?

While most fans would like to see a trilogy fight between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, the duo may have different return dates to a boxing ring.

The two middleweights finally squared off Saturday night in a rematch that was a year in the making. However, much like the first fight which resulted in a split draw, the sequel was also shrouded in controversy as Alvarez won via majority decision, with many having Golovkin edging the contest once again while others scored it a draw.

This time, though, it was much closer and Alvarez produced arguably the best performance of his career to win the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council middleweight titles.

When asked afterward about a potential trilogy fight with Golovkin, the Mexican was certainly open to it, but revealed the plan is for him to fight in December next.

"If the people want a third fight, we will do it again. But for now, I want to enjoy the moment with my family and my people," Alvarez said at the post-fight press conference. "But if they want us to do it again, no doubt. He’s a great fighter but I’m a great fighter and I showed it tonight. We have to talk with my team and figure things out, but the idea right now is to fight in December."

It will likely not be against Golovkin however, but rather David Lemieux, who fighting on the undercard of the event, established himself as the next contender with a devastating knockout win over Gary O'Sullivan.

"A fight with David Lemieux is possible for December in New York," Alvarez's promoter, Oscar de la Hoya added at the post-fight press conference.

As for Golovkin, both him and his team were gracious during his first-ever defeat but still believe the fight was a draw at the very least.

"We would like to have a third fight," Golovkin said at the post-fight press conference. "We will negotiate it. It would be great to have a third fight."

An immediate second rematch with Alvarez does not seem to be on the cards though, not only because of Lemieux potentially challenging the 28-year-old, but also because it makes more sense for the rematch to be in May.

“(Gennady) will definitely fight again, it depends on when," Golovkin's promoter Tom Loeffler told Fight Hub TV, as quoted on Bad Left Hook. "Whether it’s December, whether we wait until the spring, or May of next year. If we do the third Canelo fight, maybe May. It makes sense."

Golovkin's trainer Abel Sanchez agrees with Loeffler about the May 5 date but on the other hand, would like for the Kazakh to have some much-needed rest until then following a grueling 12 round war.

"No, I wouldn’t want him [Golovkin] to [fight in December or early 2019]," Sanchez said. "I would want him to rest now. He’s had some good fights. He rests now and comes back to the gym at the beginning of the year, and they fight in May."

Sanchez had notably long criticized Alvarez for his performance in the first fight but had positive words for him after the fight, even personally scoring the contest as a draw.