By Vitali Shaposhnikov: While I am used to seeing a lot of support from the Mexican boxing fans when it comes to their fighter facing anyone, especially Mayweather Jr., this time the entire scene was alien to me.
Usually the Mayweather Jr. fans do a great job showing their support of their favorite American boxing superstar, their unparalleled champion, and their undoubted victor, but this time, at the Canelo vs. Mayweather Jr. weigh in, things were different.
The crowd in the arena as well as outside by the big screens in the main lobby of MGM Grand, was overwhelmingly in support of Saul rather than Floyd. As Alvarez stepped on the scale, the thundering cheers exploded and lasted for as long as people were able to make noise without taking breaths. Canelo fans came geared up, sporting shirts, flags, head bands, and other paraphernalia. Their presence was not only heard and seen, but also felt. Men, women, and kids were trying their best to make a statement that Saul Alvarez is here to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr., and they are here to support him in this most important quest of his career, and possibly life.
It’s evident that Mexico needs a big win. Juan Manuel Marquez did just that against Pacquiao in their last fight, and it seems the taste of that national victory inspired the Mexican fans to come out and cheer on their young champion, hoping that this time, after Mayweather Jr. has effortlessly plowed through Marquez, Ortiz, and Guerrero, he will be exposed and defeated.
As the unbeaten boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. stepped on the scale, I had to concentrate very hard to try and make out the cheers though the aggressive and what seemed like well coordinated booing.
I cannot give you an accurate fraction of the Floyd vs. Saul fans that showed their support, but I will put it this way: if Canelo loses his fight, there will be an entire army of disappointed people leaving the arena tomorrow night.
Truth be told, I am still trying to understand why this had turned out the way it did. Is Mayweather Jr. losing his fans? Is Canelo really this big of a deal? Were there more Mexican fans because Alvarez and Garcia were fighting on the same night? Or maybe Floyd’s fans simply didn’t attend the weigh in?
I guess I will have a better idea tomorrow as both fighters enter the ring. Still, no matter how many fans Canelo has over Mayweather Jr., based on the predictions made by various boxing experts and fighters, it’s clear that Floyd’s stock is through the roof.
Of course the main intrigue of tomorrow’s event is that someone’s 0, will go.
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