Home Boxing News Mayweather vs Alvarez – The Writers’ Predictions

Mayweather vs Alvarez – The Writers’ Predictions

Current Pound-for-Pound King Floyd “Money” Mayweather faces his biggest challenge available as he meets popular Mexican sensation and fellow Junior Middleweight title-holder Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in a 12-round title unification fight this Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mayweather, sports an undefeated 44-0 record and for the first time since 2007 fights for the second time in the same calendar year, having defeated Robert Guererro May 4th. Alvarez is undefeated also at 42-0-1 having unified the WBC and WBA Jr Middleweight titles against Austin Trout April 20th.

The live gate has already exceeded a record $20 Million and Pay-per-View expectations are that it could challenge the 2.5 Million buys generated by Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya 2007. In addition, over 500 movie theatres across the United States will be showing the event. A world-wide audience will be looking in as boxing history takes place.

The Las Vegas strip is buzzing like it only does for the most elite of match-ups as many feel that the young Mexican superstar will present Mayweather with his stiffest challenge to date via his youth, perceived size advantage, and power. At 36, and having been a world champion since the age of 21, some feel that Father Time might play a helping hand in ending Mayweathers dominance, but that remains to be seen. Eighteen current and former World Champions have mounted challenges to Mayweather’s legacy and gone down to defeat, will the young Mexican sensation join their ranks for will he pull the upset that will put the boxing world on it’s ear?

In anticipation of this match-up, we here at Ringnews24 solicited the opinions of our staff of writers who presented their thoughts on what promises to be a memorable evening this Saturday night:

Bobby Mac
Of Mayweather’s only two junior middle fights, he squeaked a disputed split decision and retired in the middle of rematch promotions. Then he fought toe to toe and got battered and tattered to finish stronger for a decision. In his last “event”, he chose running non-engagement tactics for 10 of 12 rounds for the decision, his new easy style relying on generous judges.

The promoter De La Hoya has entered rehab where he “can’t be contacted” so as to let the monkey business of boxing start yanking monkey tails that he won’t be blamed for. We know the 152 lb catchweight, not the ring size or rehydration limits, but if Alvarez properly rehydrates to his 170 lb fight-weight, he knows he needs a knock-out to bypass the judges. Will Kenny Bayless interfere or oversee an impartial first class effort? Anything goes in a monkey business fight but I’ll pick Alvarez. Mayweather carrys the Ring curse with 37 of 41 “experts” picking him. Ouch!

Anthony George
If Canelo is at full strength, he handles Mayweather. We all know he will not be at full strength, so this fight is a joke. Canelo and his people sold out for a huge payday and are not giving themselves a true chance to win. That is all I will say about this fight for now.

Nick Bellafatto
It’s hard to go against Mayweather Jr. in that not only does he make things look easy, but he should be at his sharpest fighting more than once in a year which hasn’t happened lately.

However, I am going to pick the bigger thicker Alvarez exclusive of any so-called blueprint provided by Oscar De La Hoya. First off “Canelo” will with improved head and upper body movement be more of a hard target than many suspect.

Follow that up with the red head throwing technically sound combinations with good speed and this is likely to prevent Floyd from landing counter punches of the pot shot variety. This with consistent pressure will force Jr. out of the box where he’s vulnerable.

Of course this is all dependent on “Canelo” stamina, as well as that of surpassing his performance against Trout where he got tight in spots due to the magnitude of the bout. He simply can’t mentally fold on an even bigger stage.

Michael Wilson Jr.
If all things are fair and Mayweather does not suddenly get old, he should beat Canelo Alvarez by decision. Why? Because at the end of the day Mayweather is still a better boxer and has the faster hands. Plus, his defence is arguably the best around and I don’t know if Canelo can solve that puzzle. Additionally, I feel that the fact that Canelo coming down to 152 will have an impact. I feel that’s why Canelo has been often guilty of fighting in spurts, because he doesn’t want to burn himself out as a result.

Canelo is stronger, younger, hits harder, and has improved significantly over the past year. Canelo’s hand speed is also better than Floyd’s recent opponents. It’s just that I’m not sure if Alvarez will solve Floyd’s defence, while Canelo can be hit and fights in spots. Floyd will take advantage of that and will pull out a decision. It will be a good one, and Canelo will have his moments.
I can see a scenario where Canelo could win and would not be surprised if he beat Floyd, but I’m going with Mayweather.

James Tonks
Saul Alvarez is younger, bigger and possibly stronger. Mayweather has speed, movement and is a defensive master. This may be Floyd’s toughest fight on paper as the 36-year-old takes on the 23-year-old Mexican, who is hungry to be the new ‘Pound-for-Pound King’.

I see Canelo trying to take the fight to Mayweather on the front foot, but Mayweather will happily give the center of the ring to Canelo so that he has more room to move in and out of of Canelo’s attacks, while countering him with speed and power.

I think it will be an interesting fight, Mayweather has been here before many times and has a vast amount of experience over the young Mexican. Alvarez is out of his depth when it comes to experience, but lucky enough that doesn’t win fights.

I predict a calm and collective Mayweather to out box the cagey Alvarez. There will be close rounds early on but once Mayweather adapts to Alvarez’s style he will take control of the fight before winning a comfortable decision on points.

Michael Readman
Floyd Mayweather is just way too much everything for Mexican, Canelo Alvarez. Mayweather shows no signs of age, at this point, which is most peoples only real hope of him actually tasting defeat.

Floyd Mayweather Sr came back into the Mayweather gym in the lead up to Mayweather vs Guererro. In contrast to how Mayweather not only faired but fought, the comparisons between the performance of Mayweather vs Cotto and vs Guererro show that Floyd Sr was back training Mayweather Jr for the Guererro fight. Mayweather’s defence was impeccable. The P4P #1 was nowhere to be found against Robert Guererro. ‘The Ghost,’ was hardly that.

Canelo Alvarez is a great up and comer and can only get better with age, but it will be the age that defeats him. Mayweather has fought too many different kinds of styles to lose to Alvarez. The Mexican is kind of one paced.  Floyd Mayweather’s ring IQ and all of his ability are too much for any current fighter.

Alvarez will do well to win three rounds max. Mayweather wide UD.

Rebecca Pitt
This is the first time Floyd will have fought twice in a calender year since 2007, the year he fought Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya, he should be sharp and supremely fit and confident and benefit from the activity. He looked as fast and accurate as ever in his last fight against Robert Guerrero and was impressive in another age defying performance.

While Canelo is young, strong, highly skilled, has great technical ability and a great record, he is relatively inexperienced with few fights against world class opposition and also seems to have stamina issues, Floyd will exploit this and any other weakness he can find and will use his experience to adapt a few rounds in and use his trademark style and movement to produce another virtuoso performance. Mayweather to improve to 45-0 via Unanimous decision.

Jamie Street
Mayweather on a mid to wide points decision is my pick, to win Alvarez has to do so many things better than he has been which is to much to pull together in one fight whilst Mayweather just has to have not slipped to far. Alvarez needs to bring Hatton-esque pressure coupled with De La Hoya skills not something he can table just yet.

Lee Skavydis
I like Mayweather on points. He’s coming fresh off an excellent win over Guerrero where it looked like he had the legs of a 21 year old instead of a fighter who is 36 and he will use them plenty against Alvarez. There may be some scary moments early in the fight while Mayweather adjusts but once Alvarez’ stamina gets low by the mid point then it will be plain sailing.

Chris McCauley
If Mayweather loses come Saturday night, every critic he’s ever had will have a field day!! They’ll all jump down his throat for never having lost due to picking fighters. And now he’s come up against Alvarez, a fighter who everybody seems to think will beat Floyd, they’re gonna say told you so this, told you so that however, if he beats Alvarez, all he will get is Alvarez wasn’t ready yet and the rest of it. The guy can’t win.

There’s been a few controversial decisions Mayweathers came out on top of sure, but he’s a master at what he does. And earnt every penny he’s sitting on. As a boxing fan I still can’t make up my mind on who’s going to win #theone because both of these fighters have their own specific skill set that could determine the outcome of this fight. In my opinion if Floyd can keep Alvarez at arms length and pick him off effectively on the counter from the outside then Alvarez is in for a long night and Mayweather will cruise his way to a wide UD.

However if Floyd gets caught slipping on the inside as unlikely as some may think, Canelo sure had the speed, power and ferocity to cause a massive upset. I can’t wait for this fight……
 
Daniel Vano
After a lot of consideration (and I mean A LOT), I’m picking Floyd Mayweather to stop Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night. Canelo has proved himself an excellent fighter, but I don’t think he is at ‘that’ level yet, despite his good win over Trout. During the Trout fight, Canelo opted to box more than ever, often on the back foot looking to counter. This would be stupid against Floyd who will make him lead all night and counter him. Canelo will look to go forward more than against Trout and work the left to the body. Problem is, he sets his feet too much when he throws it.

Floyd hasn’t looked great above 147, but Cotto and Oscar gave him problems when they punched moving forward. This isn’t Canelo’s strong point. Canelo will eat a lot walking forward, and I expect Floyd to target the body. The Mexican will get close, and will have success early. But by the half way stage, perhaps ahead on the cards, he’ll start to tire from May’s spiteful left hook and pinpoint right. By the 10th, Floyd will have drained every ounce of Canelo’s energy, forcing his corner to throw on the towel to stop the beating. Mayweather TKO10 Canelo.

Scott Gravesen
Canelo lacks the boxing brain, speed and stamina to really test Mayweather. This will be like watching the child next door being abused by his parent for even questioning his elders. I’m not sure Mayweather has the hands to stop Canelo but it will be similar to Mayweather v Gatti in the terms of speed kills with Canelo’s size and Mayweather’s hands being the only thing that saves the Ginger kid from being stopped.

Kevin Davis
This is a tale of a brash young champion vs a brash proven veteran – who doesn’t want to relinquish his title. Floyd Mayweather has ruled over boxing for 16 years, his reflexes are still sharp and his knowledge of boxing is second to none. Saul Canelo Alvarez is a different fighter, he is also undefeated but has flaws, but makes up for them with power and a belief that he can’t be denied.

My take on the match up comes down to one thing endurance. Canelo has shown even in his last contest, that endurance has been a key issue with him, and having to lose two extra pounds on top of that, I don’t see Canelo finishing the fight well. Floyd will attack Canelo body and break him down systematically. Canelo will try to counter Mayweather and use patient aggression, then bang his arms and shoulder til he can’t lift them, then when Mayweather flees to his right, he will plant hard left hooks shots to Mayweather ribs.

Mayweather is good at adjusting, so he can change in an instance but can Canelo, does he have a plan b. Mayweather will win by stoppage in round 10.

Chris Adams
Floyd Mayweather Jr is a thinking boxer, who breaks down the opponents strengths as the fight unfolds. Against De La Hoya, Hatton, Mosley and Cotto; each fighter found success when working to their strengths but Floyd increasingly took control of the action as he took their tools away from them. Saul Alvarez comes in and is undoubtedly Floyd’s biggest challenge for some time.

Canelo is younger, bigger and fresher than the now 37 year Mayweather, he looked superb in the second half of the fight against Austin Trout and he is well on his way to become a superb fighter. I believe however, that this fight has come 12 months early for Canelo.

Early against Trout he struggled for range coming more into the fight as the slick southpaw tempered his movement. While Trout is an excellent fighter and was a legitimate champion, Mayweather is a level above.

I believe that if Floyd can contain Alvarez’ exuberance in the early going, then he can take firm control of the action in the middle rounds. Expect him to use fast hard counters and superb footwork to minimise the younger fighter’s opportunities to exchange.
There may not be a lot of blood and thunder, but rather plenty of the sweet science on display at the MGM Saturday night. Expect Mayweather to take ‘The One’ but keep his ‘0’.

Bobby Hunter
I think Canelo is the biggest challenge Mayweather can take other than Pacquiao. I just don’t understand why Floyd asked Canelo to come in at 152 when he asked Cotto to be healthy at 154, Saying that I still expect Floyd to be still to good for Canelo.

I expect Floyd to win a decision with Canelo maybe pushing him closer than Cotto did. Mayweather UD

Dave Murphy
Quite simply, Floyd’s beaten guys with Canelo’s skill set before, and I just don’t understand why people think a slight size advantage will combat what I perceive to be a HUGE advantage in speed.

Mayweather critics still seem to think you can muscle him around the Ring, are they ever going to learn?

The questionable trio of judges has me more concerned than what Canelo brings to the Ring, I think Moretti, Ms. Ross, and the Canadian that scored Ward-Froch too close are looking to lay down a controversial draw (keeping everybodies “zero” intact and setting up the richest fight ever in a rematch) but quite simply, not sure Canelo can deliver anything close TO a competitive effort In order to pull off the heist. School will be in session and Floyd Mayweather has the lesson plan, a comfortable decision victory by 5 or 6 pts. MAYWEATHER BY UD.

Ben Walton
I’m going to go with the minority here and say Alvarez. I know I risk being carried off by the men in white suits but I’ve just got this feeling he will do it. His shot selection is fantastic, and he throws unorthodox combinations, ones that I think will at some point catch Mayweather off guard and then the young mans strength and youth will take over. Mayweather is by far the better boxer and that will remain but styles make fights. In the Cotto fight when he was throwing the jab, right hand, jab, each time Floyds head got rocked by the final unorthodox shot.

You can’t hit Mayweather with the normal combinations as he sees them all coming a mile away, its a sixth sense the way he rolls the punches, but with Canelo a big, strong, hungry young man, who is not intimidated one bit – we have a serious contender here that is maybe catching Floyd at the right time.

Geoff Booth
Floyd Mayweather will always be a better fighter than Canelo, just like Bernard Hopkins will always be a better fighter than Jermain Taylor. But every dog has his day and everyday eventually comes. I suspect it to be a close fight with the majority of fans scoring it for mayweather 115-113 while 2 of the three judges see it canelos way.

This should become a what do you like type fight, with Canelo’s jab and power being the difference in close rounds.

Floyds 2 outings at junior middlweight have been less than dominant, and ya know what they say? Third times a charm. 44-1, and if hes lucky he could walk home 44-0-1, but I doubt it.

Rob Day
Hype wise this is big but interms of match-up, I don’t think it’s a 50/50 fight. I believe that Floyd has the greater skills and experience and is simply a better fighter than his Mexican opponent. Canelo is a solid fighter and has accomplished a lot but he will not pull off the upset in this one. Floyd to use his bag of tricks and skills to win a comfortable UD.

Totals: Mayweather = 15; Alvarez = 4