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    Don't cry for GGG, a classy champ who can take a punch

    GGG handles loss like a true champ
    Sep 18, 2018
    PHOTO: AP
    spin zone

    CHICAGO -- He lost his reign. He lost his unbeaten pro record. He lost his invincible aura.

    But through the darkness of his career's worst night, Gennady Golovkin kept his poise. He kept his dignity. And he kept the admiration of a fan base that regards him as the best middleweight to ever wield a pair of boxing gloves.

    Well over 90 percent of the ringside reporters scored either a draw or a narrow escape for Golovkin. The punch stat numbers clearly supported the sentiment as Golovkin threw more punches, 879-622, and landed more jabs, 118-59.

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      Bum calls are nothing new in the corrupt world of boxing. Especially in Las Vegas, the world's ultimate party mecca, where the weak quickly lose their inhibitions while the strong and the righteous willingly surrender to wrong choices.

      Golovkin knows all these. He is generous, not stupid.

      And he ain't bitter, a gracious show of self-restraint considering that he was "robbed" the first time and shortchanged in the rematch last Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena.

      "This is a great fight. Congrats to Canelo. Today, he's champion. I'll come back," he told The Los Angeles Times.

      Golovkin's trainer, Abel Sanchez, is a straight-shooter who rarely bites his tongue. But like his prized ward, Sanchez also proved that he can lose all his marbles without losing his poise and sense of civility.

      "Canelo fought a great fight," Sanchez conceded. "He redeemed himself. He's an exceptional fighter."

      It's easy to understand the righteous rage about Golovkin getting another supposedly unfair shake, but it would be foolish to declare that another brazen heist had just been pulled off at the famous Strip.

      He might not have won in many eyes, alright, but let this be clear: Canelo earned this verdict.

      Fair and square.

      He did everything. Whatever it took.

      ABRUPTLY condemned for two failed drug tests, which postponed the original May 5 rematch date, Canelo ignored all the noise and somehow summoned the mental fortitude focus on training. Besides doing all the grunt work that elite athletes subject themselves to, Canelo also carried the cross of doubt and suspicion.

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      Accused of running in the first fight, prancing away from danger as though he was a Canela, the red-headed pride of Guadalajara, Jalisco stood in front of Golovkin for 12 brutal rounds and bravely lived up to the tradition of his Mexican forefathers who brawled until there was no more blood left to bleed.

      Told that it was unlikely to beat Golovkin pedalling backwards, Canelo risked his personal safety by walking through GGG's whiplash-inducing jabs and murderous rights. He bravely brought the fight to Golovkin and triumphantly landed more power punches, 143-117.

      This victory was no gift from the judges. The only gift that was handed out was the classic the two worthy combatants dished out to entertain the avid worshipers of the fight game.

      GGG needed eight stitches to close a gaping wound below his right eye. But he stands to make just under $50 million, according to Yahoo Sports, when all the revenues are accounted for and shared. That should help with the healing process. So don't cry for Kazakhstan.

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      GGG only has one blemish in a Hall-of-Fame career. So let's not launch a crusade about the indecencyof boxing's scoring system. Golovkin won 38 fights without our help, let him fight this battle, this perceived slight, as well.

      I had hoped, and really wanted, for Golovkin to win. That's why I slammed my right fist hard on the press table after the decision was announced.

      I considered the thought of allowing sadness to overcome me, but there really was no need.

      Golovkin is tough as they come. He'll handle this adversity the only way he knows how.

      Like a champ.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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      PHOTO: AP
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