Saul Alvarez
FLOYD EXPECTED TO WIN WITH EASE
Las Vegas, NV– It appears that Saturdays highly anticipated showdown between undefeated boxing powerbroker and pound for pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather (44-0, 26 KOs) and Mexican icon Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KOS) will be the biggest event of the calendar year for boxing, and broadcasts live on Showtime PPV. This is the second bout of Mayweathers groundbreaking six fight contract that guarantees him 32 million per outing. The prizefighters vie for WBC and WBA junior middleweight (154lb) supremacy. Many expect this to break the PPV record set in 2007 when Mayweather defeated Oscar De La Hoya by decision to win his WBC 154lb title. All of the hype is there, as Canelo is a solid young professional at the age of 23, but logic tells you that he doesn’t have the tools or skills to compete with Floyd.
POWER IS USELESS IF YOU CAN’T LAND PUNCHES
It is tiring to hear and read peoples predictions that Canelo has power and can hurt Mayweather. Mayweather, a Grand Rapids Michigan native living out of Las Vegas, is the best defensive fighter of his generation. If Canelo’s shot to win is to only land a big shot, winning appears out of the realm of possibility. While the Mexican has slightly improved in his last few fights, against his best opponents, Austin Trout (26-1, 14 KOs) and an older version of Shane Mosely (47-8-1, 37 KOs), he failed to score knockouts. Power is the only advantage he has over Mayweather, and in reality Floyd may have the better chance to score a knockout. In championship level fights, usually knockouts occur from punches that a fighter can’t see. When it comes to speed, the Las Vegas resident is in another stratosphere.
CANELO’S ONLY CHANCE IS TO PRAY MAYWEATHER GETS OLD
Boxing is a young man’s sport and Canelo might hope that Floyd slips to a level where his elusiveness and reflexes diminish. However in Mayweather’s last bout, a route against the totally outclassed Robert Guerrero (31-2-1, 18 KOs) he looked rejuvenated and fought like a fighter ten years younger than 36.
Floyd Mayweather-Saul Alvarez
The footwork was amazing, as well as the ability to dodge and slip punches. One has to believe that the Mexican should be able to put forth a better effort. The achilles heel though is the 152lb catchweight. Will this effect the Mexican’s lack of speed? While Canelo has quick hands and can run off combinations, against someone as skilled and cerebral as Mayweather it will be difficult to land more than one punch at a time. Also consider the fact that at junior middleweight he’s used to fighting slower fighters who lack in speed of hand and foot.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FRUSTRATION SETS IN?
It becomes somewhat monotonous watching the pound for pound king ply his trade. He may be the best fighter on the planet, but he is risk averse. The Mexican star will try to make the fight, but once he realizes that he can’t set up his punches, he will probably try to take chances and open up. This is when Floyd is at his best. When given the opportunity to counter his opponents ineffective aggression he begins to pile up points. Due to Alvarez having stamina issues and the possible struggle to get down to 152lbs for a fighter who walks around near 170lbs, don’t be surprised to see a wide decision or late stoppage. The Mexican just lacks the experience on the top level to pull off an upset.
-Kevin Perry
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