Saturday night, the world's top two pound-for-pound boxers in the world compete once again on the same card at The Forum in Los Angeles.
First, No. 1 ranked Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez (44-0, 38 KOs), 28, of Nicaragua will defend his WBC flyweight title against 30-year-old McWilliams Arroyo (16-2, 14 KOs). Then in the main event, unified middleweight kingpin and No. 2-ranked Gennady Golovkin (34-0, 31 KOs) defends his WBA, IBF and interim WBC middleweight title against Dominic Wade (18-0, 12 KOs).
MORE: Nate Diaz wants Conor McGregor at UFC 200 | What to make of McGregor
Gennady Golovkin (Getty Images)
This is the third consecutive time Golovkin and Gonzalez have fought on the same card. It makes sense to pair them because as flyweights have never drawn in boxing, and Golovkin, who is from Kazakhstan, is a rising star. Golovkin and Gonzalez are heavy favorites to win in spectacular fashion.
"They've grown to know each other now," HBO Boxing commentator Jim Lampley, who will be a part of Saturday's broadcast, told Sporting News. "And obviously they get along with each other or they wouldn't be continually appearing on these cards together.
"It shows a certain wisdom on the part of "Chocolatito," who is actually ranked by experts and expert panels as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world that he understands the intricacy of appearing on the number two fighter in the world's undercard.
"It only stands to reason that a middleweight fighter has a more rapid path to global prominence than a flyweight fighter. There are more people who can identify. At the end of the day, it's potentially good business for both. The pay-per-view buy rate for the Golovkin and Lemieux card which featured 'Chocolatito' against a very good American opponent in Brian Vilora didn't make quite the splash that most enthusiastic supporters of those two fighters would hope for."
Lampley said promoters also were wise to focus on building the boxers' images and reputations.
"This is a case where devoted boxing fans and people who are already initiated into an understanding these two fighters, will be watching to see what they expect to see, which is great performances by Golovkin and Gonzalez," Lampley said. "It's mostly just about two amazingly gifted, skilled prizefighters who have made a business agreement to work together to attract a new audience."
Here is everything you need to know about Golovkin vs. Wade and Gonzalez vs. Arroyo.
What time will Golovkin vs. Wade and Gonzalez vs. Arroyo take place?
The card starts at 10 p.m. ET. Gonzalez and Arroyo are expected to enter the ring about 10:15 p.m. Golovkin and Wade are expected to get into the ring at around 11:15 p.m. ET.
What TV channel is showing Golovkin vs. Wade and Gonzalez vs. Arroyo?
You can watch Golovkin vs. Wade and Gonzalez vs. Arroyo on HBO.
Where can I watch Golovkin vs. Wade and Gonzalez vs. Arroyo online?
You can watch Golovkin vs. Wade and Gonzalez vs. Arroyo onSling TV, BoxNation or on the HBO GO app.
Steven Muehlhausen is an MMA and boxing writer and contributor for Sporting News. You can find his podcast, The Fight Club Chicago, and subscribe on iTunes, Soundcloud and Stitcher. You can email him at [email protected] and can find him on Twitter @SMuehlhausenMMA.
