Floyd Mayweather Jr. is giving the fans what they want. The undefeated boxer announced on Twitter on Wednesday that he will be fighting Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 14 in Las Vegas.
I chose my opponent for September 14th and it’s Canelo Alvarez. I’m giving the fans what they want. It will be at the MGM Grand.
— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) May 30, 2013
Canelo (42-0-1, 30 KOs) has long been discussed as a potential opponent for Mayweather. Mayweather (44-0, 26 KOs) chose to fight Robert Guerrero earlier this month after deciding between the two. He disposed of Guerrero easily, which led to fans, promoters, and TV execs clamoring for a tougher test for the champion. He’ll get that in Alvarez.
Canelo, like Mayweather, has never lost, though he did fight to a draw in his sixth career fight. The 22-year-old Mexican fighter will be Floyd’s most difficult opponent since Miguel Cotto.
Mayweather has had the September fight date reserved for several months. There were some concerns that he wouldn’t be able to return to the ring in time for the fight after he hurt his hand against Guerrero, but that does not appear to be the case.
The fight will take place at a 152-pound weight limit. Mayweather has mostly fought at the 147-pound limit, though he moved up to 154 for Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya. Canelo fights at 154, and SI’s Chris Mannix says there will not be a limit for Alvarez concerning how much he will be able to weigh after the weigh-in.
De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions promotes Alvarez, tweeted a picture of Canelo signing the contract:
Mayweather versus Canelo September 14 @shosports @goldenboyboxing @floydmayweather twitter.com/OscarDeLaHoya/…
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) May 30, 2013
It is officially on.
