Mayweather — on top of the world
[Boxing]
As Floyd “Money” Mayweather had predicted repeatedly, he defeated the brashy, over confident Saul “El Canelo” Alvarez in a 12 round majority decision, at the M.G.M. Grand Arena Casino, Las Vegas, on Saturday, September 14, 2013.
Mayweather, thereby removed all doubt perhaps worldwide or globally, as to who is the pound-for-pound king of kings in the squared circle.
The fight was a classic defensive and offensive clinic conducted by Floyd from round one to round 12. It lived up to all of the hype from the start of it’s 11-city tour, through the individual training camps and finally the public weigh-in with over 12,000 standing room only excited fans rooting for their favorite.
The live gate ticket sales alone was $20 million breaking the previous $19 million set with the Mayweather vs. Oscar Dela Hoya fight. Combined with pay-per-view, close circuit, theaters and other sources total revenue could exceed $200 million. Mayweather gets over $40 million — 16,746 watched it live with millions others worlwide.
The fight labeled, “The One”, was really the one to settle the score as to who indeed was the best, “Canelo” or “Money”, and Money of course proved to be the better all-around fighter displaying all of his boxing skills.
His “shoulder-roll-and-elbow” defense, his speed, and his superior counter-punching had Canelo totally confused perhaps wondering what to do next, surprisingly, from the first round.
When Alvarez rushed Mayweather he wasn’t there. When he stopped to catch his breath and plan another attack, Floyd hit Canelo at will from head to body causing Alvarez to cover up defensively rope-a-dope style, perhaps trying to remember all of the combat plans he had developed back in his Big Bear training camp. He wondered what happened to the training and why he could not execute what he practiced.
After studying Canelo Alvarez’ moves the first 2 rounds, Floyd began to give Alvarez a boxing lesson from the third round on, almost telling Alvarez that what he brought to the “table”-the ring- was not enough.
It was indeed a pitiful sight albeit an embarrassment to see Canelo floundering around the ring as this modern day, human fighting machine, Mayweather hit Alvarez consistently with unanswered punches in bunches.
You could almost read Canelo’s mind asking himself: “What do I do next, I can’t catch up to him and where is my attack plan that I practiced over and over at Big Bear?”
Alvarez became tentative; reluctant to throw a punch and when he did throw a punch or combinations he looked amateurish as he missed wildly, as Mayweather just danced away planning his next attack as he counter-punched furiously.
You could hear the moans and groans of Canelo’s die-hard fans from round to round throughout the sold-out arena as they began to realize that only a knockout would salvage their hero’s victory, his crown, and the undefeated record of 43-0-1 and 30 knockouts.
Alas, that was not to come because Alvarez no matter how strong and determined he was, was really way in over his head with a master of the ring who was masterful in the execution of his craft solidifying his credo, retaining his record at 45-0, 26 k.o.’s. He won the W.B.A./W.B.C. Super Welterweight Crowns.
Canelo met a fighting machine second to none in this modern day of boxing folklore. He fought in the same mode or style that he has been utilizing since he started boxing; taught by his dad Floyd, Sr. and Uncle Roger.
I didn’t think nor feel that a knockout by either party would be scored because Floyd by reputation being a defensive fighter more than an offensive fighter would be completely satisfied to just “pick” Canelo apart as he did and settle for a decision. It should’ve been unanimous but for the questionable vote by C.J. Ross who called the fight a draw-114/114.
Other judges called the fight correctly, Dave Morreti-116/112 and Craig Metcalf-117/111. I scored the fight in favor Mayweather, 118/111, calling the first round even because of no dominance on either side although Mayweather was the aggressor.
Floyd “Money” Mayweather was paid a record purse of $41.6 million dollars not counting the pay-per-view revenues compared to Canelo’s purse of $12 million dollars also not counting pay-per-view.
It was not easy money for Canelo who suffered the indignity of being thrashed repeatedly in front of his fans for the same amount of time, and also suffering a bruised left eye as well as a bruised ego. In the hurt business really no amount of money is easy.
Well, what is next for Canelo Alvarez?
Obviously back to the drawing board. He is young enough, at 23, to recoup and challenge others in his weight level or go straight to the 160 pound level and challenge Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez.
To complete his remaining 4 fight contract with Showtime, there is still the opportunity for Floyd to resurrect a fight with Manny Pacquiao, or maybe the 140 pound champ, Danny Garcia, who although an underdog decisively defeated Lucas Matthysse.
There are no limits as to what Mayweather could do in boxing, or as an impresario with his T.M.T. Promotions. Just like Heavyweight Champ, Rocky Marciano, Floyd could fight one more time, win and then retire at 50-0.
