LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (September 4, 2018): Let the games begin! Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez and WBC/WBA/IBO Middleweight World Champion Gennady "GGG" Golovkin will be featured in an 8-bit boxing game which will launch on Tuesday, Sept. 4 -- 11 days before their eagerly-awaited world championship rematch.
Golden Boy Promotions and GGG Promotions have partnered with GameCommerce, a global leader in Brand Playables, to design and create the interactive game. The game incorporates images of fighters Canelo and GGG, providing a fun 8-bit rendering representation of their rematch. Last year, on Mexican Independence Day, in front of a record crowd, Canelo and GGG fought to a controversial draw. The fighters resume their fierce and bitter rivalry on Saturday, Sept. 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT.
In the game, the player chooses which fighter they want to be, and can even use boxing moves like a hook, a cross, an uppercut or a block to attack or defend against the opponent. This fun and interactive boxing game will be launched on Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
"Boxing is such a visceral sport, especially with such dramatic fighters as Canelo and Golovkin. Through this engaging game, people will experience the fight in a lively way in anticipation of the real fight," said Nagesh Pobbathi, CEO of GameCommerce.
Canelo, of Guadalajara, Mexico, is a two world title and lineal champion in the super welterweight division, and has captured the WBC, Lineal, and Ring Magazine World titles in the middleweight division. After his historic showdown with Golovkin last year, Canelo promises to defeat Golovkin in exciting fashion to prove that he in the world's best 160-pounder.
"Games are games, and they are fun to play. But I won't be playing on Sept. 15. I will knock Golovkin out," said Canelo.
Golovkin (38-0-1, 34 KOs), from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, is boxing's longest-reigning world champion (since 2010). Known for his Mexican style of fighting and his explosive knockout victories, this undefeated boxing superhero will be looking to make his division record-breaking 21st consecutive title defense.
"It was fun beating up Canelo in this game. Now I cannot wait for September 15, when we will get really interactive at T-Mobile Arena," said Golovkin.