Las Vegas, NV – In what is known as the pound-for-pound king’s home, Las Vegas may be anything but this Mexican Independence weekend.
The weigh-in was held at the MGM Grand but one doesn’t even have to enter to know who, at least for this weekend, Las Vegas favors.
A drive through the strip gives way to green, white, and red, the sounds of Mexican music, and Canelo apparel.
Televisa who simulcasted a Spanish telecast of the weigh-in, also will televise the pay-per-view-event throughout Mexico. If further proof is needed to demonstrate how massive of a following Canelo has, one need to only look at the Vegas airport who added 20 additional flights from Mexico specifically for the weekends event. Or the hundreds of fans who camped outside the MGM to attend the weigh-in.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has lost his home field advantage and will find himself in very hostile territory. However, this is nothing new to Floyd, who found himself in a similar situation against Ricky Hatton.
Ricky had the crowd and momentum on his side, and was taking the fight to Floyd. Many had it as a close match until the strong minded Mayweather figured Ricky out and knocked him out in the 10th.
The hostile crowd will more than likely have no effect on Floyd’s performance because he is resilient, strong willed, and has proven to thrive in the face of adversity.
Look for a pro Canelo crowd Saturday night which may invigorate the young Mexican during the fight. The fan-friendly fighter has stated on several occasions that it is not only he who will win Saturday, but everyone of them also.
He fights not only for himself, but for a nation who wants nothing more than to crown a new king.
Mayweather vs Canelo…. Tonight!
FightSaga’s Sal Arteaga, an established boxing writer, is reporting from Las Vegas.
