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For over two years, boxing fans have anticipated the showdown between Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) and Canelo Alvarez (49-1- 1, 34 KOs), two of the toughest, most dangerous fighters in boxing. Golovkin still reigns as the sports most avoided fighter. When you see the faces of opponents who experience his punching power, it’s not hard to see why. In a total of 387 fights at the amateur and professional level, he’s never been knocked down or out and holds the highest knockout percentage in middleweight history at 89.8 percent. So just what fuels a world middleweight champion ahead of a career-defining superfight? We caught up with the world middleweight champion ahead of the Sept. 16 (HBO Pay-Per- View) bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

GQ: This fight has been in the making for over two years. Was the wait frustrating?

Gennady Golovkin: We have been talking about this fight for years. The last two years, I loseinterest, because after every fight, Golden Boy said, "No. OK, maybe next fight." I think it was hard on the fans too. The fansare hungry for this fight. This was not Canelo not being ready to fight me. It was Golden Boy not being ready for Canelo to fight me.

Canelo is probably one of the best counter punchers in the sport. Did that influence your overall approach for this trainingcamp?

No. I trained the same, to be the best that I can be. He will need to adapt to me.

What’s a typical training camp schedule for you?

The team meets at 6 A.M. for a run. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I'll run three to four and a half miles. On Tuesday and Thursday, we do sprints. On Saturday, we run the mountain, which is about nine miles. After the run, we do sit-ups and stretches. Then it is a shower, breakfast and rest. I come to the gym at 3 P.M. I will spar on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, I do strength and conditioning. We have dinner and I call my wife and son.

What are you putting into your body throughout that schedule?

I drink lots of water all day. Breakfast, I will have oatmeal, eggs and juice, all flavors. I will have a smoothie after working out with whole foods, no supplements or powders. Lunch, I will have grilled chicken, potatoes and a salad with ranch dressing. I will have another smoothie after the run. Dinner is steak, mixed vegetables and a potato. I eat until I am full.

You're now 35. Does that affect how hard you can train now vs. a few years ago?

I do what Abel [Sanchez, Golovkin's trainer] tells me to do. It seems as hard today as when we [first] started.

I’ve heard the process of making weight can be very frustrating for some, and even as strenuous as training camp itself. Have you ever found any difficulty with that aspect or maintaining the nutrition to keep the weight manageable?

No. I am a small middleweight. I eat more and I eat smart but I do not overeat. I [have] always come into camp at a good weight.

What is your routine like the day of the fight and what are some of the things you’re eatingbeforehand?

I will eat breakfast with my team...my corner. [I will eat] a lot of carbs like oatmeal, pancakes, potatoes, plus eggs. I'll rest and have a snack around 1 P.M. Dinner will be at 4 P.M. with my team. I usually eat salad, pasta, chicken, and fish. Nothing fried and nothing heavy.

With never having experienced a loss, what does a celebratory post fight meal look like?

Lots of steak! [Laughs]

How long after the fight do you allow yourself to eat the foods you want to before you start getting that itch to get back in the gym and train?

I never get out of shape or overweight. I have an active son and he keeps me in shape doing things together.

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