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Cock-a-hoop

Canelo vs GGG 2: Saul Alvarez laps up LeBron James praise after defeating Gennady Golovkin in Las Vegas

Canelo inflicted the first loss of Golovkin's professsional career in a controversial majority decision points victory

SAUL ALVAREZ will still be in high spirits after his landmark victory over Gennady Golovkin - and praise from basketball legend LeBron James will keep him right on top of cloud nine.

The Mexican got the better of the 36-year-old via a majority points decision in what could well turn out to be fight of the year.

 Canelo Alvarez celebrates after the final bell following his win over Gennady Golovkin
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Canelo Alvarez celebrates after the final bell following his win over Gennady GolovkinCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Golovkin is determined to fight Alvarez for a third time
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Golovkin is determined to fight Alvarez for a third timeCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Just like most boxing fans around the globe, LeBron had his eyes fixated on the Las Vegas mega fight.

James, along with the likes of Will Smith and comedian Dave Chapelle, was lucky enough to be in attendance to witness the spectacle at the T-Mobile Arena

On Twitter he gave his reaction after saying: "One of the best fights I've seen... salute to the both of you. Could watch y'all fight any day."

And Alvarez, 28, was clearly cock-a-hoop to hear from the LA Lakers superstar, replying: "Thank you champ."

 LeBron James took to Twitter to heap praise on both fighters
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LeBron James took to Twitter to heap praise on both fightersCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Will Smith, left, and comedian Dave Chapelle were also in attendance on the night
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Will Smith, left, and comedian Dave Chapelle were also in attendance on the nightCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Last year's bout was controversially scored as a draw after one judge surprisingly marked his scorecard with a 118-110 victory for Alvarez
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Last year's bout was controversially scored as a draw after one judge surprisingly marked his scorecard with a 118-110 victory for AlvarezCredit: AP:Associated Press

LeBron wasn't the only one to lavish praise on the Mexican, with Amir Khan also taking to social media to share his views.

He said: "It was toe-to-toe action, very exciting, I gave the fight to Canelo."

After their first bout finished in a draw, Alvarez was able to inflict a first professional defeat on a distraught Golovkin - who felt he won the fight.

Both extremely closely matched fighters gave the crowed a thrilling spectacle that one judge scored a draw, 114-114. while the two others scored it 115-113.

Gennady Golovkin storms out of the ring after controversial loss to Saul Alvarez

Alvarez (50-1-2, 34 KOs) now holds the WBA and WBC middleweight titles after Golovkin's first defeat in 40 bouts.

The 12-round fight was full of hard blows, as expected, and while Golovkin was more aggressive in his approach and threw more punches - Canelo landed his own in a more efficient manner.

The third instalment of this mega-series will be one which every boxing fan will be licking their lips at the prospect of - especially if it's anything like the last fight.

Canelo Alvarez is interviewed after historic win against Gennady Golovkin

 

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