The highly-anticipated and biggest fight of the year in boxing just recently concluded over the weekend. And everyone is literally at odds as to who won. Both middleweight kingpin Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez gave everything they had in an action-packed 12-rounder. In the end, there was a three way split among official judges and the bout was ruled a draw.
The two squared off at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada last Saturday, September 16 to a packed house. It was the most anticipated boxing match in recent memory, and both fighters certainly did not disappoint.
Majority of fans however believed GGG did just enough to win, slightly edging Canelo by a couple of rounds. Most media members however were okay with the draw, as it was an extremely close fight. Controversy surrounded one judge’s scorecard however, Adalaide Byrd, who inexplicably gave Canelo 10 rounds and a 118-110 score. Of course, that was not the way the fight went and many people immediately cried controversy and robbery.
Joe Rogan reacts to GGG vs Canelo result on podcast
UFC color commentator and fight sports connoisseur Joe Rogan watched the fight live on his podcast The Joe Rogan Experience with legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu figure Eddie Bravo, and needless to say, both guys were pretty shocked at the result. Both Rogan and Bravo thought GGG won the fight, and even credited their man Brendan Schaub, who is a regular on Rogan’s podcast, for calling the Vegas controversy even before the fight happened.
“Brendan Schaub. And I should say this before the decision gets announced. Said that if Golovkin didn’t win by some ungodly, lopsided beatdown, that he could lose a decision. Because of corruption, because that’s how boxing rolls and there is way more money in Canelo winning,” Rogan was quoted as saying as he watched the decision read live on pay-per view.
“Apparently the audience is half-Mexican. He (Canelo) is a superstar in Mexico. So let’s see if Brendan Schaub predicted this correctly. The unofficial scorecard guy (Harold Lederman) had it for Golovkin by several rounds. We think it was Golovkin clearly, although Canelo fought a great fight.”
Bravo and Rogan then entertained the idea of a robbery, referencing the first Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley fight which also ended in a controversial decision that left fans crying robbery. Rogan however said the result of that fight was much worse.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AhEUJKCX1Q&w=1903&h=789]
Brendan Schaub called it before the fight happened
Before the decision was read, Bravo even said that he doubts that there would be controversy in the decision. “For sure Golovkin. I doubt (that there will be a robbery). Boxing’s not that bad.”
And then as the final scores were read, both Rogan and Bravo had perplexed looks on their faces.
“Told you, son. Brendan Schaub is a sage, and he was right. There’s no way that was a draw,” exclaimed Rogan.
“He (Golovkin) retains his belts so nothing really changes for him and he gets all that money. And then the rematch is going to be insane. He’s thinking about those dollars. Good job by Brendan man, good call. Brendan nailed it,” said Bravo.
Obviously Rogan and company were not happy with the result. Were you? Who do you think won that fight? Do you think it was a robbery? Let us know in the comments.
