Canelo Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KOs) vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (44-0, 26 KOs) is the fight fans want to see. Both boxers are undefeated and considered the best in their weight classes. Mayweather beat Robert Guerrero with ease in his fight two weeks ago, so fans want to see him step up the competition. So do his promoters and television partners.
Golden Boy Promotions said that arranging a fight between Mayweather and Alvarez is a No. 1 priority. Golden Boy promotes Alvarez and has promoted Mayweather’s last seven fights on a fight-by-fight basis. However, there was some speculation recently that a weight issue could serve as an impediment to the fight.
Canelo has fought at 154 pounds for his last six fights, while Mayweather has fought at 147 pounds for eight of his last 10 fights (he fought at the 154 limit for the Oscar De La Hoya fight in 2007 and the Miguel Cotto fight last year).
Alvarez’s trainer, Chepo Reynoso, told Boxing Scene that Mayweather wants the fight at 147. Reynoso says there is no way Alvarez drops down to that weight (he hasn’t fought at 147 since March 2010). They proposed a catch weight, but Floyd reportedly is refusing. Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer reportedly says that is not true.
“Whoever is talking, discussing or stating that there is a weight issue regarding a potential Mayweather vs. Canelo fight does not know what they are talking about. This is all bulls—,” Schaefer told Boxing Scene.
Schaefer went on to say false reports like that can ruin fights.
I don’t know that a report like that would ruin the fight, but I don’t think the information is true. We have seen in the past that Floyd is open to moving up in weight for fights. The price has to be right like it was with Cotto and De La Hoya, and Floyd also has to feel like he can win. With Golden Boy and Showtime putting pressure on him, maybe Mayweather will finally agree to fight Canelo. We know they were close to an agreement in the past.
