Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin are returning to the scene of their first encounter.

THE RING middleweight championship rematch will take place May 5, and it was announced Thursday the showdown will return to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fighters will stand face to face for the first time since they fought to a draw on Tuesday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, with tickets going on sale that morning.

“I am happy to return for the fourth time at T-Mobile Arena for this historic rematch against Golovkin,” said Alvarez, THE RING’s 160-pound champion. “I opened the doors of this place to the world of boxing, and it has become my favorite venue. This is where the fight started, and this is where I’ll end it by doing what I and my fans most desire: knocking him out.”

Canelo (49-1-2, 34 knockouts) and GGG put on a sensational, violent show in the first meeting in September, a summit meeting between the two best middleweights in the world, and two of the best fighters regardless of weight.

Golovkin, THE RING’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, felt he deserved the nod, as did many observers, but there were also plenty of media members and fans who saw the fight for the 27-year-old Mexican star.

“It feels right that the rematch returns to the scene of the crime,” said Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 KOs), who will be 36 on fight night. “This time there will be no drama with a decision.

“I won the first fight and left the ring as world champion wearing all the belts. And I am going to win the second fight. It is going to be a record fight and a golden night for me and boxing at T-Mobile Arena.”

The highly anticipated rematch falls on Cinco De Mayo, traditionally one of Vegas’ most popular weekends, and the buzz toward it will begin Tuesday.

“Las Vegas on a fight weekend during Cinco de Mayo is electric, and I know fans will travel from around the world to be here to participate in the celebratory atmosphere,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Historic boxing matches like Canelo vs. GGG 2 belong in a place like Las Vegas, which offers fans the full and rich experience they are looking for on a big fight weekend.”

Mike Coppinger is the Senior Writer for RingTV.com. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeCoppinger