But the match was too close to call, with the judges declaring a split draw at the end of 12 rounds.

The scores declared by the judges were: 118-110 (Alvarez), 115-113 (Golovkin) and 114-114.

Speaking after the bout, 26-year-old Alvarez declared he wanted a rematch.

He said, through a translator: "Yes, of course, obviously yes, if the people want it, yes.

"He didn't win it was a draw. I always said I was going to be a step ahead of him."

He added: "In the first rounds I came out to see what he had, then I was building from there. I think I won eight rounds."

Golovkin, 35, also said he wanted a rematch, but the draw means he will hold on to his belts.

It marks Golovkin's 19th title defence, which puts him just one shy of the all-time division record held by Bernard Hopkins.

The Kazakhstan native holds three of the four major middleweight title belts.

The controversial scorecard of judge Adalaide Byrd, who favoured Alvarez 118-110, sparked outrage on social media.

Dozens of Twitter users declared the victory belonged to Golovkin and expressed their fury at the result.

Bryd gave Golovkin just two rounds of the fight - the fourth and seventh - with the other 10 going to Alvarez.