Canelo-Golovkin II official for May 5

The highly anticipated sequel is official. Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin will settle the score on May 5, televised on HBO pay-per-view. A venue is still to be determined, but Las Vegas is the likely destination.

Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez confirmed the news to FightNights.com via text message Monday afternoon.

Details regarding venue and tickets will be announced at a later date.

Alvarez (49-1-2. 34 KO's) and Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KO's) fought to a highly-controversial split draw last September, with most ringside observers and analysts seeing Golovkin as the victor. However, judge Adelaide Byrd turned in a 118-110 scorecard in favor of Canelo, which triggered accusations of corruption.

The 27-year-old Alvarez, of Mexico, is looking to prove to his doubters that the first fight was a fluke, and is promising, once again, to knockout Golovkin.

“I’m delighted to once again participate in one of the most important boxing events in history,” said Alvarez. “This second fight is for the benefit and pleasure of all fans who desire to see the best fight the best. This time, Golovkin won’t have any excuses regarding the judges because I’m coming to knock him out.”

The 35-year-old Golovkin, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist from Kazakhstan, knows that he can't leave this in the hands of the judges.

“I am ready to battle Canelo again and am happy he took this fight again,” said Golovkin. “This is the fight the world wants. This is the fight boxing deserves. I didn’t agree with some of the judges’ decisions in the first fight. This time there will be no doubt. I am leaving the ring as THE middleweight champion of the world.”

Canelo suffered an injury to his right hand during training camp for the first fight and fought valiantly.

The former two-division world champion underwent arthroscopic surgery following the bout and had multiple pieces of bone fragments removed from his right hand. Will his hand be a factor again in the rematch?

Golovkin is a little older and has not fought in eight months. Inactivity tends to have less of an impact on younger boxers. Does this mean Canelo will be fresher on May 5?

Golovkin, of course, is known for his tremendous knockout power. When he participated in open workouts at L.A. Live in August; he did not appear to be in fighting shape at the time. However, come Sept. 16, Golovkin was ready to rock. Will he come better prepared and knockout Canelo?

We will have to wait and see! What do you think is going to happen? Let us know!