GATLING IN VEGAS: Canelo Beats Up Chavez, Vows To KO GGG

The pursuit of glory has a price.

In front of 20,510 very loud revelers of violence in the spirit of Cinco De Mayo at T-Mobile Arena, Canelo Alvarez beat up Julio Cesar Chavez Jr like a $500-a-week sparring partner.

At its best, I thought this fight was Juan Manuel Marquez V Antonio Margarito. As it was, it was Commodus in the face of Maximus and the people.

It was piñata season round after round, as Alvarez put Chavez Jr in his version of Alcatraz in solitary confinement. Ironically, Canelo beat JCCJr (via 120-108 wipeout UD) with the type of relentless pressure his legendary father was famous for.

We probably wished this fight was better than logic told us it would be. Chavez Jr had gone from 215 lbs to 164 in nine grueling months, to prepare for a fighter who was using him to prepare for a modern Achilles.

A glance at his Queen of a mother at ringside revealed a disgusted surrender– before the bell. Her face reminded me of  the “Face-Off” on HBO, where there was fear in her son's way during the segment.

Jr's lack of fire during the much hyped weigh-in revealed lbs of fear on that scale too. He was far lighter than 164. Then, came a ringwalk in a robe of defeat.

He's just not his father.

I think before Father's Day, maybe the great Chavez can offer his son a gift by telling him – with teary eyes – that he's very proud of him and to call it a career.

CANELO ALVAREZ VS GENNADY GOLOVKIN: 9.16.17

The entire production of Canelo V Chavez was top-notch and fan friendly, as HBO, ESPN and Golden Boy combined for a weeklong movie experience. They were all at their best for the official unveiling of Canelo V GGG.

T-Mobile Arena, a Las Vegas version of NYC's Madison Square Garden, features a colorful and futuristic Roman Coliseum with mega screens that showcase the fighter.

As seemingly all of Mexico celebrated its conquering Canelo with thunderous cheer felt around the arena, you could feel the passionate booing of a stoic and serious Golovkin.

The realization of what he'd just seen from Canelo– and recently experienced with Daniel Jacobs, was attached to the aura of GGG onscreen, as he confronted Canelo with guarded fury. Canelo has no fear of Golovkin, and my first impression of this fight is a modern Ricky Hatton V Kostya Tszyu.

If nothing changes to alter September 16, what we'll see in Canelo V GGG is a true Superfight, war for the ages, and the unquestioned “Fight of The Year”. But until then and because of Canelo V Chavez Jr… Ward V Kovalev II better be pretty damn good.

In a quick question fired in the direction of Oscar De La Hoya before the post fight presser got underway, I asked the “Golden Boy” what happens in Canelo V GGG.

“I always think Canelo knocks out GGG, and saw more of a reason to believe that now,” bottom-lined Oscar. Canelo, within earshot of this a few feet away, countered with Arnold Schwarzenegger's “Terminator” tone in perfect English. He simply stated, “Believe it”.