Regardless of what you hear and read in the media, Floyd
Mayweather’s next opponent is probably going to be Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
Alvarez, who will be 23 by the proposed September 14
fight date, is a strong, fresh two-belt junior middleweight champion bursting
with confidence after decisioning Austin Trout on April 20 in a jam-packed
Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
On paper, Alvarez could be, literally, Mayweather’s
biggest test ever. The red-headed native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
routinely shows up on fight night above 170 lbs. and, if/when the Mayweather
bout is made, it could mean Mayweather would likely be outweighed by more than
twenty pounds by the time both fighters make their ring walks.
Stylistically, Mayweather has every edge over the
methodical and relatively slow-footed Alvarez. Once Mayweather gets on the
bicycle and finds his rhythm, he should cruise to a solid decision win, even
against a walking wall like Alvarez
The public argument we see about weight is mere posturing
as both fighters attempt to flex their muscles in negotiations to get the best
deal possible for themselves.
Mayweather may try to demand that Alvarez compete at 147,
but Alvarez will not likely bend. And, despite the fact that it may give him a
twitch in the gizzard to concede, Mayweather will likely have to give in and
meet Canelo at 154 or at some agreeable catchweight limit.
Whether or not Mayweather sold a million pay-per-views
against Robert Guerrero on May 4, the show didn’t exactly electrify the boxing
world. Showtime and everyone involved with the business end of Mayweather’s
six-fight deal with the network will want a real blockbuster next-and the only
person who can bring that kind of interest to the table is Canelo Alvarez.
As Mayweather always says, people lie, but numbers don’t.
The young Mexican battler is, quite possibly, the only commercially viable
opponent for a big ticket pay-per-view event.
But, again, Mayweather need not worry. The end of his
undefeated streak won’t come against Alvarez or any other larger fighter.
The end of Mayweather’s unblemished, pristine record will
come against one of the young, hungry warriors in the unbelievably deep junior
welterweight division.
Forget about these one punch guys who will have ten to
twenty pounds on Mayweather by fight night-the bigger they are, the slower they
are. The added bulk will keep them one step behind a Mayweather, who is legitimately
slowing down at 36 years of age.
The real danger is in young fighters who are quick,
technically sound, and whose smaller size will give Floyd a false sense of
confidence.
We know that Mayweather is infinitely faster than Canelo
Alvarez and have seen him beat several high-end welterweights with his
reflexes. But what about a guy who hits like a welter, but throws quick punches
and is lighter on his feet?
A guy like Lucas Matthysse, who has legitimate one-punch
power, but is also a deceptively good technical fighter, could give Mayweather
some real problems.
The Argentine “Machine” has also become a well-seasoned
pro while jumping through hoops to earn his shot at a world title. His recent
total destruction of durable and crafty Lamont Peterson was a wakeup call to
the world and it erased the ugliness of two highly controversial decision
losses from when a greener version of himself lost to bicycling southpaws, Zab
Judah and Devon Alexander.
Since those losses, Matthysse has looked unbeatable and
surely as impressive as anyone Mayweather has fought in a long while.
Other than Matthysse, junior welter is full of good,
quality opponents.
Danny Garcia could make for a better battle than Robert
Guerrero or Victor Ortiz. Buzzsaw battlers, Mike Alvarado and Brandon Rios,
could give Mayweather fits because of their tenacity and aggression, but both
are Top Rank fighters and not likely to be considered. Amir Khan, despite
several real knocks against him, has the hand speed and athleticism that could
make for a surprisingly solid match-up. Even the recently crushed Lamont
Peterson could get back on solid ground to give Mayweather a real bout.
So, while fans naturally want to see Mayweather fight
bigger opposition, it should be pointed out that bigger isn’t necessarily
better-especially for a fighter like Mayweather, who depends on speed and
reflexes. Forget 154, there is a world of hurt to be had at 140. (Source)
