Golovkin and Canelo first met in the ring in September 2017. The fight ended in a controversial split decision draw, with many fans believing Golovkin should have won. Their second bout in September 2018 saw Canelo take a majority decision, handing Golovkin his first professional defeat.
The trilogy concluded in September 2022 at super-middleweight (168lbs). Canelo won by unanimous decision, defending his undisputed super-middleweight titles. This fight was the clearest of the three, and it might have been Golovkin's last, though he hasn't officially announced his retirement.
In a recent interview with DAZN, Golovkin shared his thoughts on Canelo's power. When asked about a big right hand Canelo landed in their second fight, Golovkin said:
"It felt kind of like a slap I guess. A slap or a sliding punch. Well, it didn't do too much. I let it get through."
After their trilogy, both fighters moved on to new challenges. Canelo won light heavyweight gold and became undisputed champion at super-middleweight. Golovkin reclaimed his status as unified middleweight champion.
Oscar De La Hoya, who promoted two of the Canelo-Golovkin fights, has recently stirred up interest by naming a fighter he thinks will knock out his former protégé Canelo. This statement adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing saga surrounding these two boxing superstars.