Gennady Golovkin and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez ended up as a controversial draw following a thrilling fight that will be remembered for a long time.
There could be an argument for giving the epic encounter as a draw on a card, but the 118-110 in favour of Alvarez was simply outrageous.
The fight itself was simply stunning.
It wasn’t just a slugfest but big-hitting from two brilliant boxers with some of the highest-quality action you will see in a ring.
Boxing sometimes shoots itself in the foot when it hypes a huge match-up but this delivered.
It’s just a shame that the judge Adalaide Byrd could not see the fight as it was.
There were fears in the build-up that there could be controversy and those worries frustratingly came true.
Sadly it may take away from the fight, but it shouldn’t. These two fighters delivered a wonderful fight and that is what should be remembered.
The politics of boxing threatened to end any hope of this ever happening.
But the sport has turned a corner in the last year with the big fights finally happening regularly.
This was certainly the biggest for some time.
Las Vegas had been buzzing with excitement for the last few days as fans from Mexico, Kazakhstan and all around the world descended upon the Strip.
Opinions were split as to who would come out on top, but most agreed they were about to watch a classic.
They were not wrong.
The 22,000 fans lucky enough to be inside the T-Mobile Arena went wild when the two main men arrived into the venue.
Three weeks ago this place hosted the circus act that was Floyd Mayweather against Conor McGregor.
But there was no circus here, this was a real fight between two of the best in the sport.
The prize was not just Golovkin’s IBF, WBA and WBC belts but a place alongside the greats as they put it all on the line in spectacular fashion.
There was smoke before the fireworks as both men walked to the ring in extravagant style.
The opening round was cagey as both men looked to see what the other’s strategy would be.
Golovkin’s plan was clear, he was going to come forward and barely take a step back.
His jab in the opening round was also effective but Alvarez started to go to the body in the second which brought him some success.
Alvarez looked the sharper man in the opening rounds as he danced away from exchanges and countered cutely.
But Golovkin was hunting and would soon find his range.
The Kazakh knockout artist finally pinned Alvarez to the ropes in the fourth and started unloading huge right hands.
Alvarez just dropped his hands and welcomed his man in for more. It was at that point when everyone in the arena knew something special was coming.
The fifth confirmed that as both men exchanged huge rights but barely moved an inch as they both passed the test on their chins.
Alvarez was even able to shake his head as if to tell Golovkin his best shots were not going to hurt him.
But what the Mexican didn’t seem to realise over the next few rounds was that Golovkin’s pressure and effective jab would give him the edge.
Alvarez started to look tired in the eighth round as that pressure from the defending champion appeared to be starting to take its toll.
He did land a good counter right hand but again Golovkin just kept coming.
The ninth was another classic three minutes as the pair exchanged stunning blows.
A huge right hand from the Kazakh and a left hook from Alvarez were the particular highlights.
Alvarez finished the round strong which suggested he wasn’t finished in this fight yet.
The Mexican certainly played his part in another thrilling round in the tenth, the bell could not be heard as the capacity crowd nearly lifted the roof off the T-Mobile Arena.
Golovkin was the one who started to goad Alvarez as he pounded his chest after taking one of the Mexican’s shots right on his chin.
Alvarez did enough to take the 11th which gave him hope before the last round served up the fitting finale.
The Mexican went on the front foot and, as the fans rose to their feet, the pair exchanged huge blows yet again.
Golovkin started to tire but dug deep to finish the round standing toe-to-toe with his man.
At the final bell, both men raised their hands in victory as the scorecards were added up and, for those few moments, everyone hoped there would be no controversy.
Byrd’s scorecard was read out first and met with loud boos before Dave Moretti’s card of 115-113 in favour of Golovkin and Don Trella’s 114-114 score came out.
This was an epic encounter delivered by two fantastic fighters but the same could not be said about the judging.
It may take the shine off the spectacular 36 minutes of action inside the ropes but it should not stop this being remembered as a great fight.
Controversy and boxing hand in hand yet again will be what the critics will say.
But at least we should see this fight again very soon.
