By Tom Drury: The drums are banging for a Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez match-up for September 14th. These two men are arguably the biggest stars in boxing. However, Alvarez still has to cement his status as one of the best fighters on the planet. Firstly, I would like to say I was a critic of Alvarez due to his padded and weak resume and was one of the first to speak out believing he would be schooled by Austin Trout.
How wrong could I be. Alvarez showed maturity, ring generalship and sharp boxing skills in that fight, winning convincingly in my opinion.
Before comments start pouring in about Mayweather “ducking” Alvarez, think about what your saying. It is a fact that Alvarez can barely make 154. If he was to, he would rehydrate to around 170 on fight night. Mayweather is a natural 147. He walks around at that weight and fights at that weight. Yes, he can fight at 154 as he did against Miguel Cotto, but the point is Alvarez would be fighting at 170. Weight classes are there for a fundamental reason (fair playing field). In my personal view Alvarez is “ducking” the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Sergio Martinez, Julio Cesar Chavez and Andre Ward. Those are the fighters surrounding Canelo’s natural weight class.
Recently I posted an article highlighting the fact Golden Boy and their star fighter needed Mayweather for that huge payday, only a match up with the worlds best would provide. I also said it was a bad business move on Alvarez’s part for pulling out of the Mayweather vs. Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero card on May 4th. The Mexican’s fans were quick to point out, “Alvarez doesn’t need Mayweather”, and “Alvarez can make huge paydays alone.” If that was true then why is Alvarez chasing a fighter that is two weight classes below him (realistically).
Alvarez is more or less killing himself making 154. It is a situation I don’t understand. If Alvarez was as good as we are being told, and don’t get me wrong I believe he is a very good fighter, why isn’t he chasing the fighters at middleweight/super-middleweight? Those divisions are rife with talented fighters. Alvarez would get so much more exposure and credit for fighting those fights while gaining huge respect as a fighter. I believe Alvarez’s fanbase at this time is built up more so by the casual fan. The fans that appreciate celebrity rock stars and good looks rather than fighting credentials.
What Alvarez and his fans need to realize is Floyd Mayweather under no circumstance needs him to secure his legacy that is a (fact). As a Mayweather fan I honestly believe he is the greatest fighter to ever live. This is based on skills, resume, dedication and marketing himself. What I will say is even though I did not ever and will not ever believe Manny Pacquiao ever posed a threat to Mayweather, by not fighting him he has left himself open to criticism by even the most hardcore fan, because Pacquiao without question was the second best fighter at 147 after Mayweather. Alvarez holds no weight when it comes to Floyd’s legacy.
Why is it Golden Boy and Alvarez are reluctant to fight at weight classes that would be more of a benefit to him physically? There are some blockbuster fights for Alvarez at middle/super-middleweight. I couldn’t imagine how much money at fight between Alvarez and Chavez Jr would generate in an all Mexican affair. Other fights out there at middleweight include “Maravilla” Martinez, Martin Murray, Daniel Geale, Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, and up at super-middle, we have Andre Ward, Carl “The Cobra” Froch, Mikkel Kessler, Lucian Bute. The opportunities are endless. Could it be Alvarez doesn’t have the skills?, could it be neither him or his team have confidence in his ability? Whatever the reason, it is a confusing situation.
Personally I would like to see a Mayweather/Alvarez match up, it would be good for boxing and even more so for Mayweather. Alvarez doesn’t have the skills to compete with Mayweather. There is no shame in that no fighter of the modern era does. Alvarez would be a great addition to Mayweather’s professional resume and would only make him “the greatest of the greats” but that is up to Mayweather himself and no hardcore boxing follower would hold it against Mayweather for not taking that fight.
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