![]() ![]() Schaefer is a promoter and his job is to sell the fight, but he's correct. "Floyd said, 'Get me that guy.' There were guys he could have fought that wouldn't have been as dangerous as Canelo, but that's not how he operates." "Canelo is a young, strong, undefeated junior middleweight who can punch, who has speed and who can box. "You have to give an awful lot of credit to Floyd for what he's done here," said Golden Boy Promotions president Richard Schaefer, who brokered the deal. From the moment his hand was raised after his win over Guerrero, Mayweather has pushed his team to get Alvarez's name on a contract. There isn't a fighter who poses a bigger threat to Mayweather in or around his normal welterweight class than Alvarez. And it's a match between the undisputed best and the guy who believes he deserves to be viewed that way. It's one of age and wisdom (Mayweather) versus youthful exuberance (Alvarez). This is a match of speed (Mayweather) versus power (Alvarez). ![]() He's got a legitimate chance to win this bout. Mayweather is only slightly better than a 2-1 favorite at the LVH sports book, a nod toward the bookmakers' belief that Alvarez isn't there only because the rules require two men. His knockout percentage of 70 percent is better than Mayweather's 59 percent. Alvarez hasn't fought nearly the level of competition that Mayweather has, but he's knocked out 30 of the 43 men he's fought. The bout with Alvarez is the most significant fight that can be made in boxing because it's a fight that carries risk for Mayweather. The needle on his scale has never jumped near 160 pounds at any point in his life. ![]() Mayweather's never – ever – been out of shape for a fight. His oversized entourage, nicknamed "The Money Team," often shouts "Hard work dedication," while he's training as tribute to their boss' insatiable desire to push himself. If he thinks the opponent is sleeping, he heads out for a run or drives over to the gym for a workout. Mayweather said shortly after his win over Guerrero that he motivates himself by imagining what his opponent might be doing. That he hasn't been defeated in 44 fights is testament to his incredible work ethic and his attention to even the most minute details. But it is hardly impossible for Mayweather to be beaten. Mayweather is the best fighter in the world, though super middleweight Andre Ward is gaining ground quickly. Leonard Ellerbe, the chief executive officer of Mayweather Promotions and Mayweather's biggest cheerleader, was a little over the top Wednesday when he said it is impossible for any active fighter to defeat Mayweather. He's a top 20 pound-for-pound fighter, at worst, and some think he belongs near the bottom of the top 10. Alvarez is 42-0-1 and, as he showed in an outstanding performance against Austin Trout on April 20, is not only one of the sport's biggest draws, he's one of its best fighters. To his credit, Alvarez said the two pounds were no problem and readily agreed.īy taking on Alvarez, Mayweather isn't facing a soft touch. Though the super welterweight limit is 154 pounds, the fighters agreed that the limit at the weigh-in will be 152. Alvarez is a natural super welterweight, and the two-pound concession worked into the contract won't have much of an impact on the bout. He won't be fighting a guy moving up in weight, like he did when he bested Robert Guerrero on May 4.
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