Former two division world champion Bernard Hopkins, who is also a partner in Golden Boy Promotions, is backing Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez to end his trilogy with Gennady Golovkin by knockout.

Canelo and GGG fought to a controversial twelve round split draw in 2017.

And Canelo prevailed in the rematch, with a close majority decision to capture the middleweight crown from Golovkin.

The trilogy fight is targeted for the date of September 12th.

There is no telling if the bout will still go forward on that date, because of the coronavirus pandemic - and Golovkin is looking to first make a mandatory defense of his IBF middleweight title.

“I think Canelo has the blueprint definitely from the second fight to end it early. Okay, you beat him twice; now you knocked him out the third time,” said Hopkins per Chris Mannix of DAZN USA.

Former WBC super welterweight champion Sergio Mora agreed with Hopkins. He also favors Canelo to secure the stoppage win.

“How can I not agree with ‘The Executioner’ to execute a game plan?,” said Mora. “This is a living legend in Bernard Hopkins. He knows better than anybody. I agree. Twenty-four rounds, these guys know each other too well. We have to favor the younger, fresher fighter Canelo for a stoppage.

“He will be going for a stoppage. They’ll both will be going for the knockout. Golovkin, we know he has the power to end this fight early as well. There’s too much bad blood, too much animosity.

“Now they’re going to have to wait a little bit longer, but the anticipation, the frustration, the anger that’s pent up, I think this fight ends by knockout.”