The impending superfight between the world's top pound-for-pound boxer, Floyd Mayweather Jr. (44-0-0, 26 KO) and the thunder-handed upstart, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KO) is being called "The One."
Many would rather that title have been bestowed upon a battle between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao several years ago, but since Pac-Man has lost some fights, recently getting dropped twice to the canvas by Juan Manuel Marquez, Mayweather-Alvarez is clearly the best fight that could have been made.
The two are embarking on an 11-city tour now to promote the bout, which will take place on September 14th at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mayweather, who is nicknamed "Money" and is well-known for outlandish pre-fight antics, was surprisingly respectful to his young opponent. The tour will make stops in Washington D.C., Miami, Chicago and Mexico City, among other places.
"Canelo, I appreciate you for taking the fight," Mayweather said. "Now, let's give the fans what they want to see." What many fans want to see is the cocky, defensive-minded Mayweather taste the leather of the 22-year-old budding Mexican superstar.
Alvarez, despite his nearly translucent skin and red hair, is fully Mexican and cannot speak English very well. In Spanish, he declared his intentions on September 14th through a translator saying, "In the sport of boxing, it's everybody's time, and this is my time. I'm going to win." Alvarez' legions of fans chanted "Mexico!" in approval.
Stephen Espinoza, the man running Showtime Sports said of the bout, "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." The fight will take place at a 152-lb. catchweight, owing to Alvarez' size advantage over Mayweather.
Oscar de la Hoya, boxing's biggest draw before handing that title over to Mayweather took part in the sport's last "superfight" against "Money." De la Hoya lost that fight, but did well for several rounds by harassing the pound-for-pound king.
"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."
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