But one judge ensured that it will also be remembered for one of the worst scorecards the sport has seen.
This fight was about Golovkin and Alvarez writing their names into the history books with a tussle for the WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight titles.
They did so with an epic encounter that thrilled for 36 exhilarating minutes, but Adalaide Byrd also ended up entering boxing folklore for the wrong reasons.
Somehow the Nevada-based official believed Alvarez won the fight comfortably and produced a shocking 118-110 scorecard. It was inexcusable.
Dave Moretti scored it 115-113 in the favour of the defending champion while Don Trella had it as 114-114, which meant the bout was a split draw.
Not the worst result after a cracking clash, but not the right one either.
Golovkin was denied the glory that his performance deserved after he hunted down Alvarez for 12 exciting rounds, some of which were truly special.
The sport’s critics will no doubt complain of corruption in boxing but if Byrd was corrupt she would have made it a lot closer to avoid suspicion – this was just incompetence and utter uselessness.
She should not be allowed to officiate big fights again but she also should not be allowed to take the shine off this stunning fight, no matter how frustrating the result was.
The wait was over three years for this clash to decide who is the best middleweight on the planet, and possibly the sport’s pound-for-pound king.
Las Vegas was buzzing with excitement as fans from Mexico, Kazakhstan and all around the world descended upon the Strip.
There was smoke before the fireworks as both men walked to the ring in extravagant style before a cagey opening as they looked to see what the other’s strategy would be.
Golovkin’s plan was clear, he was going to come forward and barely take a step back.
His jab in the opening round was also effective but Alvarez looked the sharper man in the opening rounds as he danced away from exchanges and countered cutely.
Golovkin was in hunting mode and would soon find his range.
The Kazakh knockout artist finally pinned Alvarez to the ropes in the fourth and started unloading huge right hands.
Golovkin’s pressure and effective jab would give him the edge in the middle rounds before the ninth round reignited the fight into a tear-up.
At the final bell, both men raised their hands in victory as the scorecards were added up before boos and jeers met the announcement from Byrd.