Gennady Golovkin and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez have an extra incentive to win their middleweight bout next month – a custom-made WBC belt made from age-old fossil.
The belt has been made from pure fossilised amber dating back from between 25-40 million years ago, and is in honour of the Mexican Independence Day, which takes place a day after the fight. Named the WBC “Adolfo López Mateos” belt, It was created by artisans who wanted to captured the pre-Hispanic technique of the Chiapanec loom. The different shades of white cotton used are to symbolise the armour of the ancient Mayan warriors. Ornate with a network of rings representing the union and fidelity of the 12 Mayan towns of the state, the belt bears a plaque representing the legend “Majbanéj-Maya” – translating as “Mayan Warrior.”
Golovkin is the reigning WBC and WBA champion, having been forced to relinquish the IBF title after refusing to fight his mandatory challenger. The unbeaten Kazakh star has vowed to knockout Canelo, after the Mexican pulled out of their May 5 rematch having tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol. The duo fought an epic battle last year at the T-Mobile Arena – the same venue where they will be facing each other again on September 15. Despite many believing GGG edged out the win, judges scored the bout a draw – much to the frustration of the 2004 Olympic silver medallist. Golovkin warmed up for the eagerly-anticipated with a second round demolition against Vanes Martirosyan on May 5.
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