Canelo vs. Golovkin II: Round-by-Round Prediction

Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin will fight again on Sept. 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It's the only question worth asking: Who will win?

The first fight lived up to the hype with a classic middleweight battle, but it ended in a controversial majority draw. Most ringside observers had Golovkin winning by a couple of points, but one judge, Adelaide Byrd had it 118-110 for Alvarez. Now we are set to do it again, but the stakes are much higher after Canelo failed two drug tests in February after testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol. They were initially slated to duke it out again on Cinco De Mayo, but Alvarez was suspended six months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Now there is a lot of bad blood, and both fighters are promising to do the other much harm on fight night.

Let's take it round-by-round.

Round 1: This is not going to be the tentative first round that we saw back in 2017. Canelo and Triple-G are going to try to get to the other man first. Alvarez starts off the fight by jabbing Golovkin and using his superior head movement to get to the inside and connects with an uppercut on GGG's chin. Golovkin did not do much of this at all in the first fight, but he will counter with a left to the body. GGG follows up with a right hand and dictates the rest of the round behind his jab.

Winner: Golovkin 10-9

Round 2: Alvarez goes back to boxing in Round 2. Canelo connects with a left to the body. GGG tries to follow up with a combination, but it is blocked by Canelo who counters with a right cross and an uppercut on the inside, and gets away. Smart moves for Alvarez.

Winner: Canelo 19-19

Round 3: Golovkin uses his laser beam jab to take the third round. GGG connects with a straight right cross and misses with a left and a right as Canelo telegraphed the shots, and is able to get away near the ropes. Golovkin is missing a lot in the round, but Alvarez isn't mounting much of an offense.

Winner: Golovkin 29-28

Round 4: Canelo controls the fourth round, landing combinations to Golovkin's head, double hooks to the body, and straight right hands. Golovkin was unable to do much of anything in that round.

Winner: Canelo 38-38

Round 5: Close round. Canelo doubles up on the success he had in the fourth round, but Golovkin connects on a violent right hand, but Alvarez takes it. Canelo ends the round with a flurry, should seal the round on the judges' scorecards.

Winner: Canelo 48-47

Round 6: Golovkin lets his hands go, but Canelo responds with a counter overhand right. Golovkin motions Alvarez to fight him. Canelo reacts accordingly, but Triple-G gets him with a flush left hook. Again, Canelo takes it.

Winner: Golovkin 57-57

Round 7: Canelo wins the seventh round, hurting Golovkin with precise body shots, and maybe one shot below the belt for all that's been said.

Winner: Canelo 67-66

Round 8: Golovkin cutting the ring off in the eighth. Canelo counters him with a left hook off the ropes and a right hand before getting away. A mouse is developing under Golovkin's right eye. GGG hurts Canelo with a right hand as some swelling is visible under his left eye. Close round, but this one should go to the champion.

Winner: Golovkin 76-76

Round 9: Golovkin with a jab fest controls the ninth round.

Winner: Golovkin 86-85

Round 10: Canelo comes out with a sense of urgency, connecting with jabs, combos to the body, and short uppercuts on the inside. Canelo takes the round with ease.

Winner: Canelo 95-95

Round 11: Golovkin connects with a hook downstairs, but Canelo counters with a vicious straight right. Alvarez now on his bicycle, as Golovkin stalks him around the ring, landing the jab.

Winner: Golovkin 105-104

Round 12: Golovkin hurts Canelo with a right hand. Alvarez is circling around the ring staying away from Triple-G and connects with a strong flurry in the final seconds to finish the round strong.

Winner: Golovkin 115-113

Decision: It's a close fight. It's Vegas. Canelo Alvarez will come out of this fight with a controversial majority decision victory.