After scoring third-largest gate in boxing history, Canelo wants rematch with Gennady Golovkin

There was speculation that Canelo Alvarez may not rush right into a rematch with Gennady Golovkin despite the demand being white-hot after their controversial split draw that took place in Las Vegas on Sept. 16.

But the Mexican superstar made it clear that he will seek no other opponent until he settles the score with the man known as GGG.

“I want [GGG] to be my first fight of 2018,” Canelo said via statement to Boxing Scene. “I do not want another fight that is not the tiebreaker with Golovkin, and that’s what we’re going to try to do.”

It won’t be a difficult fight to put together considering that their initial battle was a smash at the gate.

According to figures released by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Canelo-GGG raked in $27,059,850 from 17,318 tickets sold at the T-Mobile Arena. 934 complimentary tickets were issued.

Those numbers represent the third-highest gate in boxing history. The all-time record is held by Floyd Mayweather’s blockbuster fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2015, which generated $72,198,500 from 16,219 tickets sold up the street at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The number two fight happened just three weeks prior to Canelo-GGG: Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor. The fight took place at the same site as Canelo-GGG and sold less tickets but at a much higher price point. Mayweather-McGregor brought in $55,414,865.79 from 13,094 tickets sold.

Canelo-GGG surpassed the previous No. 3 fight, which was Canelo’s first time on the big stage against Floyd Mayweather in 2013. That fight — which saw Mayweather earn a majority decision over Canelo — earned $20,003,145 from 16,146 tickets sold at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

After an all-action fight, the rematch between Canelo-GGG will likely surpass their initial meeting. Fortunately for fight fans, they may not have to wait very long for them to duke it out again. It’s highly likely that the rematch will take place on Cinco de Mayo weekend next year. Both parties have begun preliminary talks and hope to strike a deal on the rematch before the end of the year.

“I feel that I was the winner, but that’s boxing,” Canelo said. “I told everyone that it would be a great fight, I feel very happy with what I did, the people were happy and now they want to see the rematch.”