Floyd Mayweather-Canelo Alvarez
BOXING MIND & GUT OFTEN DIFFER
San Francisco, CA– Every once in awhile I get caught in the middle of a debate between my heart and my mind. My heart speaks from what I desire to see. My mind speaks from I actually see. My heart speaks from it’s “gut” feelings and emotions. My mind speaks from it’s logic.
PEOPLE SAY CANELO IS “LUNCH MEAT”
This weekend I am stuck in yet another sharp disagreement between my heart and mind. My heart is telling me that Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KOs) has been predestined by the boxing gods to be the “Savior of Mexican” boxing in Mexico. He will unseat the all-evil, undefeated, Floyd “Money” Mayweather of 44 victories (26 by knockout) and return Mexican boxing to it’s glory.
FIRST FEELINGS OF THE HEART
“Canelo is 22 to Floyd’s 36” my heart repeats to me in a rather excited manner. “This is his time.” He is smart AND he is tough! And he hits hard! Do you remember the last two times Floyd fought over 147 lbs. in the jr. middleweight (154) division? It was against Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya and he looked a tad vulnerable both times and neither of those guys are natural 54′ pounders.
SOMETIMES SIZE & WILL CAN PREVAIL
With his natural size advantage, he’ll probably be like 170 by the time he enters the ring. When has Floyd ever fought someone that big? HE HASN’T!! He hasn’t, Jason!! And when he finally gets hit by a punch from someone that big he’s going to go to sleep! Watch! I’m telling you! Viva Mexico!”
CANELO IS THE STUFF LEGENDS ARE MADE FROM!
I begin to ponder the points made by my heart. Perhaps he’s right. Canelo has all the makings of a superstar who can carry this sport into the future. At 23 he is barely entering his prime while Floyd is just exiting his. He is pretty big too. What’s going to happen if he catches Mayweather with a clean shot the way Shane Mosley did?
MY MIND HAS VIEW THAT OFTEN DIFFERS FROM MY TICKER
“Canelo is indeed a very good fighter. Did you see how he outboxed Austin Trout? He surprised me with that performance. I thought he would win but not like that. He has a lot of things going for him. If he catches Floyd with a clean punch early, he could very well put the ‘pound for pound’ champ to sleep ala Roy Jones-Antonio Tarver II circa 2004.
LAST GASP SAYS ALVAREZ THE VICTOR
Then my mind enters the room carrying a bag of logic. “Allow me to chime in for a moment, fellas. Oh no, not you again,” my heart says in a disgusted manner. “Don’t even listen to him, Jason. He has no faith! But are you really going to bet your money against Mayweather on a puncher’s chance?” “Um.. Hello I’m right here!”, says my heart, still standing up. He dismisses us with his hand as if to swipe us away then walks out of the room. “Man forget you guys, you guys are lame. Team Canelo! Floyd’s about to be 44-1!”
Jason B. Nava