Canelo Alvarez agrees to a rematch against Gennady Golovkin

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has agreed to a rematch against middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin on 5 May.

Mexican Alvarez and Kazakhstani star Golovkin first fought last September in Las Vegas with the bout declared a draw by the three judges.

The decision caused controversy, however, with many believing Golovkin had dominated the defence of his IBF, WBA and WBC titles.

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At the September fight judge Dave Moretti agreed that Golovkin had won, scoring the card 115-113, but Don Trella scored the fight a “dubious” 114-114 draw and Adalaide Byrd’s 118-110 card was in favour of Alvarez. The Times called the decision a “judging scandal” and said Byrd’s card “defied all logic”.

In October the World Boxing Council (WBC) demanded another clash between the rivals and yesterday it was revealed by Alvarez’s promoters that he would get back in the ring on the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo.

Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions, told the Los Angeles Times that the contract for part two won’t include a rematch clause like the first fight. He said: “It’s going to be another great fight, so it’ll likely be a natural to do another rematch, but it’s not in the agreement.

“We want to concentrate on getting this [second Alvarez-Golovkin fight] done and then we can talk about a third fight later.

“I know Canelo’s going to win. I think Canelo figured him out in the last three rounds. Look at that fight. Canelo handled [Golovkin] those last three rounds. And this time around, Canelo’s going to have an easier time with him. Not an easy fight, but he has the experience now and he wants this fight.”

While a 5 May date is on the cards for Golovkin vs. Canelo Part II, the location for the fight is yet to be decided. Last September’s bout was held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but New York’s Madison Square Garden could also come into contention to host.