IT’S a rivalry that seethed with bitterness and captured the imagination of fight fans worldwide. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin. Two powerful pugilists locked together in history, transplanted from the ring canvas to the paint canvas by fine art collector and huge boxing fan, Ingo Wegerich.
The fight for the middleweight world championship took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 15 September 2018. Canelo Alvarez was the lineal middleweight champion. Gennady Golovkin was the undefeated middleweight world champion of the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF and IBO associations. Alvarez won by a majority decision (115-113, 115-113, 114-114).
This fight was a rematch of their first fight that took place on 16 September 2017, which ended in a disputed draw. Originally, the rematch was planned for 5 May 2018. However, Canelo tested positive for banned substances and was suspended for six months.
According to Canelo, he had unknowingly ingested the substances through contaminated meat in Mexico. Golovkin accused Canelo of intentional doping. The relationship between the two boxers considerably soured as a result, making it impossible to hold joint press conferences before the fight.
I’m Ingo, and over the coming months, I will be showcasing my boxing art. I am very pleased to be able to bring you a little closer to the subject. My art collection of boxing paintings is probably one of the largest and best-known in the world.
I would like to start with a very special original work of art from my collection – namely, the cover of Boxing News from 13 September 2018.
It is said to be the very first painted cover in the more than 115-year history of Boxing News magazine. The cover shows the rematch between Canelo and Gennady Golovkin. It’s one of my favourite paintings.
The artist wrote to me about this artwork and he said the following:
The acrylic painting was commissioned by promoters Golden Boy Promotions and GGG Promotions. I wanted to make this a head on confrontation both fighters pushing forward – a challenge at will […] I put II in the background to signify the rematch and painted both fighters with realistic details including glove brands and Canelo’s tattoo which was new […] fan feedback was tremendous.
In the meantime, this artistic masterpiece has also been signed by both fighters, whom I have met in person. The reaction was somewhat different from what I had expected.
In fact, I learnt afterwards that they were very disappointed that this painting was not offered for sale to the fighters themselves. That’s how much the picture touched the protagonists.
The artwork has also been shown at exhibitions – including a major exhibition with the German Sport & Olympia Museum in Cologne last year, which was visited by many thousands of people.
The details of the artwork are as follows: Canelo vs Golovkin II, Original, 2018, Richard T Slone, Acrylic on canvas, 44″ x 44″
You can view more of Ingo’s artwork on his website, Ingo Wegerich Fine Art Collection, or contact him viaInstagram.
