Once again, much of the sporting world will focus in on the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas avenues for what is always marketed as a fun time for all.
Fight night for Mayweather vs Canelo should be the center of the universe for those of us who truly love the game.
Hours and hours have already been dedicated to the buildup for the monstrosity that has been billed, “The One”.
As opposed to diving right into the shallow water where a bet on Floyd Mayweather would undoubtedly place us, it does, in fact, seem that the high majority of fans, writers and insiders alike already have given us the most likely outcome.
Jos? Sulaim?n, President of the World Boxing Council (WBC) Courtesy WBC
No one should fault Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42(30)-0-1) for going for pugilistic gold in the form of a certain “Money”. He’s only a few months past his twenty third birthday, yet many argue that he is a product placed in an ideal setting by the “What’s Been Cookin’?” (also known as the WBC) sanctioning body.
Their version of the light welterweight title (the green one with the photo buttons on it) was in a state of vacancy when he beat Matthew (not Ricky) Hatton to the crown in March of 2011. Prior to that, familiar names such as Manny Pacquiao, Sergio Martinez and the late, great Vernon Forrest had it and then for various reasons let it go.
Even Floyd himself briefly acquired it on May 2007 when he got by Oscar De La Hoya, which of course was the highest grossing fight ever.
Mayweather vs De La Hoya (2007) Courtesy HBO Friends, fans and countrymen; don’t expect Mayweather vs Canelo to surpass the indelible grey stain left by “The World Awaits”, as the 2007 event was named.
We should rightfully expect Floyd to get the job done on that particular Saturday evening by any means necessary. By no means would this writer suggest that Canelo has little to no shot of winning. On the contrary, he’s been given a puncher’s (or perhaps slugger’s) chance to win.
For just a second, let’s consider (or rather temporarily hallucinate over) an Alvarez win. How would we as the boxing public love it all to go down?
Would we prefer: A savage beating. A “cleanup on aisle three” type of slaughter that resonates through boxing history? Or
A WBC-style ripoff shaft decision that couldn’t have possibly gone either way, but most of us give the faulty decision the proverbial brush off?
Anything can happen, but we should most likely be prepared for the most likely outcome. Floyd by a hard fought (early on) yet clear unanimous decision. Canelo should not slip in any way off the podium amongst the world’s best fighters. Perhaps in a year or two, the kid from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico will own the game.
Regardless of what the premiere of “All Access” reveals to us, we shouldn’t be suckered into another straight putt. Whether it’s Floyd stretching out across the Corinthian leather seats aboard his private jet or Canelo in his drawers upon a galloping horse on the beach, the blanks have already been darkened.
Just look at the enormous tapestry of “Money May” which adorns the the side of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The template remains the same. It’s Floyd raising his gloveless, still taped hands skyward in victory. That has stayed the same throughout his last several bouts. Only the opponent’s name down at the bottom is subject to change.
After a multi-city press tour to promote the event, Mayweather has steadfastly stood behind his promise to knock off what has been steadily built up over time by Golden Boy Promotions. This is perhaps accurate, but only to a certain extent. We’re the ones that watch and we’re the ones who “ker-plunk” down the cash to watch it on TV.
In a way, Floyd’s work is already done. They set them up, but we knock them down. ——–
Mayweather vs Canelo Date: September 14, 2013 Time: 9 PM EST, 02:00 UK * Broadcast: Showtime PPV in the U.S. PPV Cost (U.S.): $65/ $75 for High Def
