The highly anticipated boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Canelo Álvarez captured the attention of the sports world. Billed as a clash between America's No. 1 fighter and Mexico's No. 1 fighter, the bout was a significant event in recent boxing history. Here's a detailed look at the buildup, the fight itself, and the aftermath.
Promotional Tour and Hype
The promotional tour for the Mayweather vs. Canelo fight was one of the most ambitious in the sport since Mayweather's 2007 bout with Oscar De La Hoya, with stops in cities such as Washington D.C., Chicago, Miami, and Mexico City. This tour jumpstarted the hype around what was already one of boxing's most anticipated bouts in recent memory.
Each fighter made a grand entrance on a makeshift red carpet, marked by confetti. Mayweather, however, received a noticeable amount of boos, indicating that the crowd slightly favored Alvarez.
During the tour, one fan humorously held up a Chucky doll from the "Child's Play" movie franchise, mocking Alvarez's hair color, which made Mayweather laugh.
Fighters' Perspectives
Mayweather, 36 at the time, entered the fight unbeaten in 44 fights, fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Robert Guerrero on May 4. "The Earth is my turf," Mayweather confidently stated. "You can put me in any ring and I will always come out victorious."
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Alvarez, a 22-year-old star from Mexico, had a record of 42-0-1 and had unified the 154-pound titles with a unanimous victory over Austin Trout on April 20. "In the sport of boxing, it's everybody's time, and this is my time," Alvarez declared through a translator, with fans chanting "Mex-i-co!" He was confident in his chances, stating, "I'm going to win."
Catch Weight Controversy
The 12-round fight was contested at a catch weight of 152 pounds, with both men's super welterweight/junior middleweight titles on the line. These included Mayweather's WBA super welterweight "super" championship, and Alvarez's WBC, WBA, and Ring Magazine super welterweight championships.
There was some contention regarding who set the 152-pound catch weight. Mayweather's camp claimed Alvarez's team suggested it first, but Alvarez insisted it was Mayweather who decided on the weight. "It wasn't me," Alvarez told reporters. "I don't want to fight 2 pounds below my weight class."
Training and Preparation
Alvarez sought advice from Oscar De La Hoya on how to fight Mayweather. De La Hoya believed Alvarez had certain advantages, including youth. "I used reckless pressure and he's going to use smart pressure," De La Hoya said. "That's what going to be the difference. ... And I have three letters for (Alvarez): jab."
Significance of the Fight
The bout was expected to be a significant draw on pay-per-view for Showtime. Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports, emphasized the magnitude of the event. "In every sport, there are certain rare occasions when you have the best fighting the best," Espinoza said. "Sept. 14 will be one of those occasions -- the two biggest stars in the sport, the two biggest fan bases."
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Saul Canelo Alvarez - Highlights
"We have America's No. 1 fighter versus Mexico's No. 1 fighter. We have the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport versus the No. 1 new star in the sport."
Mayweather's Activity
The fight was the second in Mayweather's six-bout, 30-month contract with Showtime, potentially earning him over $200 million. After defeating Guerrero, Mayweather expressed his desire to fight again in September, marking his first time in the ring twice in a calendar year since 2007. "I said I was going to be very active so I could stay sharp and be at the top of my game," Mayweather stated.
Mayweather demonstrated little rust, dominating Guerrero with superior defensive skills in his first appearance since serving a jail term.
Alvarez's Ambition
Alvarez, a confident and rapidly rising fighter, was expected to provide a significant test for Mayweather. He had previously dominated the previously unbeaten Trout, silencing critics who doubted his readiness for such an experienced opponent.
"To be the best," Alvarez said when asked about his motivation to fight Mayweather. "(I want) to go down in history as the guy who beat the guy people consider the best."
Read also: Alvarez vs. Berlanga: Fight Analysis
The Fight and Its Outcome
The fight was won by Mayweather in a 12-round majority decision in front of a sold-out crowd of 16,746. Despite Mayweather's dominance, one judge, C. J. Ross, scored the fight 114-114, resulting in a draw.
CompuBox stats highlighted Mayweather's dominance in the fight.
Fight Statistics
The table below summarizes the key statistics of both fighters leading up to the bout:
| Fighter | Titles | Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| Floyd Mayweather Jr. | WBA (Super) Light Middleweight Champion WBC and The Ring Welterweight Champion | TBRB No. 1 Ranked Light Middleweight The Ring No. 1 Pound-for-Pound |
| Canelo Álvarez | WBA (Regular), WBC, and The Ring Light Middleweight Champion | TBRB No. 2 Ranked Light Middleweight The Ring No. 9 Ranked Pound-for-Pound |
Post-Fight Moments
When the news conference concluded, both fighters engaged in one final stare-down, igniting the crowd once again.
"It's always been one of my ultimate goals to get to the pinnacle of the sport and push myself to the limit by facing the best," Mayweather said. "He's a young champion."
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