FOX SPORTS/BOXNATION -THE ONE -MAYWEATHER v ALVAREZ- SAT NIGHT CHAT THREAD

**Beanz** · 09-14-2013 09:22 AM

PART TWO

Article Link - Mayweather-Canelo: British Boxers, Trainers Predictions

Martin Murray (interim WBA middleweight champion): Because the fight’s at 152, I’m picking Mayweather. There’s no way Floyd would’ve accepted this unless he could give himself every advantage.If it was at 154, I’d go ‘Canelo’ on points. He’s got the style to beat Floyd. He’s huge at light-middle, really poised and controlled then, when he unleashes his shots, it’s with real venom. And as Mayweather gets older, his time has to be coming to an end. I backed Guerrero to beat him.
But Alvarez has struggled to make 11st before so that extra two pounds could do serious damage, really weaken him. When you’re tight, two ounces is difficult to shed, two pounds is ridiculous. It’s going to prove decisive.
On song, Floyd breaks hearts; really demoralises his opponents but, unless those two pounds have completely compromised Alvarez, I expect Mayweather will have to settle for points.
Gary Lockett (Cwmbran trainer): I pick Floyd Mayweather to win a clear unanimous decision for the simple reason that Saul Alvarez will make himself a target. Noone will beat Mayweather by trying to go forward.
I rate Alvarez big time; definitely one of the best up and coming prospects in world boxing. He’s achieved an incredible amount for one so young and he’s mature beyond belief.
But Mayweather is also a very astute businessman and there’s no way he’d have accepted this challenge unless he was absolutely sure that he would win the fight.
Expect Mayweather to use his own jab to draw attacks then counter Alvarez to death. Though Alvarez is a top class combination puncher, he won’t even be able to land clean when he traps Mayweather on the ropes. Floyd is that slick defensively.
I think it’ll be a good fight to watch because Alvarez will throw quantative shots to force the issue, and make Mayweather punch back. But I expect Mayweather will have a bit too much knowledge and experience in the championship rounds.
There’s no one around who’s capable of beating Mayweather unless he concedes a ridiculous amount of weight.
Joe Gallagher (Manchester trainer): I’m with Mayweather, big time. Alvarez has too many holes defensively. The finishing position of his hands after he throws is poor and Mayweather will exploit that. Canelo’s just a bigger version of Ricky Hatton and look what happened to him against Floyd.
Despite his obvious size and strength, I don’t believe Alvarez is that big a puncher. Look at the difficulty he had in stopping Matthew Hatton and Ryan Rhodes.
Also I think some of the comments from Canelo and his camp have fuelled a fire in Mayweather’s belly. He seems very intense and focussed on those 24/7 shows.
I think Floyd deserves huge respect for challenging himself against a bigger, stronger, younger, unbeaten fighter. He’s fought and beaten every contender of a generation. The only thing he lacks is a bit of Sugar Ray Leonard’s killer instinct.
Mayweather has the greater experience of the big stage. Now we’ll get to see if Alvarez can cope or if he’ll choke.
There’s nothing to suggest Alvarez is ‘chinny’ so I expect it to go the full distance. ‘Canelo’ will land good shots but I expect Mayweather’s straight punching to be decisive. Because of Golden Boy’s influence on ‘Canelo’ it might go to a split decision but Mayweather should prove himself the better fighter and get his hand raised.
Jamie Moore (ex European light-middleweight champion): Floyd Mayweather wins on points. Alvarez might have the edges in strength and size to enjoy some success but I don’t think he has the speed or technique to actually defeat Mayweather.
Alvarez has the power to hurt Mayweather if he lands and he’s also got exceptional timing and judgement of distance. However, Mayweather isn’t a normal fighter. To catch him properly you need to be very fast. ‘Canelo’ isn’t.
Because of the size disparity, I expect Floyd to be ultra cautious in this fight. But he’ll boss it from the outside with his speed and skills. He’ll be too clever.
Gavin Rees (ex light-welter world champion): Floyd Mayweather. I’ve bet against him a few times in the past and always lost my money!
Don’t get me wrong, I rate Alvarez as one of the top fighters in the world. He’s very tough, a proper fighter, with great combinations. He’s also a big old lump and, if there’s no cap on what he can weigh inside the ring on the night, he’ll definitely have a decent chance.
But Floyd just picks everybody apart. Last fight, he battered (Robert) Guerrero to a pulp!
All Mayweather’s opponents appear to get intimidated when they go in against him. It almost seems as if he’s paid them not to hit him!
I’d not pick many others to beat Alvarez but Floyd’s the best of the best. He makes world class opponents look ordinary and it’s all so effortless. He’s got fantastic defence, feet, movement and he picks all the right shots. What’s not to like about him inside the ring?!
Johnny Eames (east London trainer): ‘Canelo’ might give him a few scares but I still think Mayweather will be a bit too tricky for him at the moment. Alvarez has come on enormously since the Matthew Hatton fight but he’s still not the finished article and could probably have done with a couple more biggish fights before Floyd.
It’s no secret that Mayweather isn’t really my sort of fighter but he’s still got a few good fights left in him. It won’t necessarily be an easy fight but it’s quite easy to predict. Mayweather on points.
Colin McMillan (former featherweight world champion): Floyd Mayweather. He’s too quick, mobile, agile and experienced. It’s possible he’ll encounter a few rocky moments but ultimately he’ll be too clever and cute.
Alvarez is the young, exciting Mexican idol. The country has a lot resting on him. He’s got loads of power and seems to take a good shot. He’s got an advantage in natural weight and, if he can break through Floyd’s defences, he has the tools to cause a lot of damage.
But style wise, he’ll suit Mayweather. Alvarez can be a little one paced. When Floyd gets his show on the road, he’s really special. Floyd’s age provides an intangible but he’s a very good athlete and has shown no signs of decline in his most recent fights.
He’s an exceptional boxer and should still have enough in his tank to put on another masterful display of boxing. I expect him to outbox ‘Canelo’ clearly enough in a distance fight.
Bradley Saunders (rising light-welter prospect): I’d like to think the ginger Mexican could win but you can’t go against Floyd Mayweather.
That said, if Floyd’s to get beat before he retires ‘Canelo’ is the man who’ll do it. He’s a big prospect, he’s bound to be really fit and I certainly expect Alvarez to set him a lot of problems. He’s very clever, applies intelligent pressure. I like the way he conducts himself. Away from the ring he’s twice the man Floyd Mayweather is.
But Mayweather seems to have an answer for everyone and I expect him to nick this on points.
Anthony Crolla (ex British lightweight champion): I expect Floyd Mayweather to win far easier than expected. Alvarez likes to set himself and Mayweather’s speed will play a big part. ‘Canelo’ will really struggle to pin him down.
It’s possible that Alvarez will ask him more questions than he’s faced of late, mind. I like his variety and the way he can shift through his gears. He’s very calm for one so young. He likes to set the pace and tempo but that’s something that Floyd is the absolute master of.
‘Canelo’ is one of the very few fighters who’ve got any chance but I don’t think Floyd is ready to go just yet. He appeared at his absolute best against Robert Guerrero last time. Alvarez presents different problems with his added size and weight but he’ll get frustrated hitting shoulders and fresh air. For me, Mayweather wins clearly on points.
Tony Sims (Essex trainer): Floyd Mayweather has to be a massive favourite but if anyone can beat him it will be Alvarez.
I’ve followed ‘Canelo’ throughout his entire professional career and he’s a special, special talent. He’s got a beautiful jab, throws fluid combinations and is just so relaxed for such a young kid. He also moves so naturally; slipping and sliding side to side, rolling his top half, gliding with his feet. Trust me, he’s a massive threat to Mayweather.
Oscar De La Hoya gave Floyd massive problems when he was probably a bit past his prime because he punched in three, four, five combo clusters. Alvarez has got the talent to do the same.
My one concern is ‘Canelo’ having to drop down to 152 for the weigh-in. It’s no secret that he’s tight at 154. Can he do it and retain his strength and perform to his optimum?
Mayweather is the greatest fighter of the last decade but Father Time catches up with every great fighter eventually, and a young talent comes through to shock the world. Floyd is a great professional, super dedicated in the gym but he’s a human being. When you’ve got the wealth he has, the desire has to go at some stage.
Mayweather’s so slippery I doubt he’ll get stopped but I pick Alvarez on points. It’ll be great for boxing if ‘Canelo’ pulls it off.

**Beanz** · 09-14-2013 09:23 AM

PART THREE

Article Link - Mayweather-Canelo: British Boxers, Trainers Predictions

Article Link - Mayweather-Canelo: British Boxers, Trainers Predictions
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Chris Sanigar (Bristol manager): Mayweather on points.
I think ‘Canelo’ is very good. He brings an abundance of energy plus greater natural size and that, plus his enthusiasm, will cause Mayweather problems.
It might not be too exciting but I’m looking forward to it. It’s intriguing as to how much longer Mayweather can go on but, like Hopkins, he lives right and trains very, very hard. He’ll be too cute and will nullify ‘Canelo’.
Brian Lawrence (east London trainer): You can’t go against Mayweather, especially with Alvarez contracted to come in at 152 (lbs). He’s a big kid – built like a middleweight - and can’t perform to his optimum at that weight. Those last two pounds are going to ‘kill’ him.
It’s a bit mad. Mayweather’s fought light-middles at 154 before. Why not this one? I think he knows Alvarez is a real good fighter. Floyd knows what he’s doing.
He only beat Hatton’s brother (Matthew) on points and Mayweather’s a completely different kettle of fish.
Floyd’s age is going to catch up with him sooner or later but not this fight. He’s lost a little but not enough to lose to Alvarez. He wins on sheer boxing ability. He can’t bully Alvarez so he’ll have to pick him off but he’s so hard to get at himself because his defence is brilliant. He also trains so hard.
If Mayweather forces a stoppage it’ll be very late but he’ll most likely win on points. He won’t be taking any chances.
Mayweather’s the best around now but he’s nowhere near the best of all time. He’s been fortunate because the level of competition he’s been beating has been relatively low. Most of today’s fighters, even the elite, are manufactured.
The emphasis now is on fitness and supplements rather than the subtle old skills. Let’s be realistic, Saul Alvarez is no Roberto Duran. Mayweather has inherited those old smarts and tricks from his father and his uncles but not many others have. The old subtleties, such as fighting inside, are dying out.
FINAL SCORE: MAYWEATHER 21 ALVAREZ 4