'The One' Mayweather vs Alvarez Big Fight: Floyd earns $41.5 million for easy win over Canelo

Canelo Alvarez proved nothing more than easy money for Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather turned one of the richest fights ever into just another $41.5 million payday Saturday night, dominating Alvarez from the opening bell and winning a majority decision in a masterful performance that left no doubt who the best fighter of his era is.

Fighting off his shortest layoff in years, Mayweather was sharp, efficient and sometimes brutal in dismantling an unbeaten fighter who was bigger and was supposed to punch harder. He frustrated Alvarez early, pounded him with big right hands in the middle rounds, and made him look just like he said he would — like any other opponent.

Mayweather was favoured 117-111 and 116-112 on two ringside scorecards while a third had the fight 114-114.

"I just listened to my corner, listened to my dad," Mayweather said. "My dad had a brilliant game plan, and I went out there and got the job done."

Mayweather remained unbeaten in 45 fights and added another piece of the junior middleweight title to his collection in a fight that was fought at a 152-pound limit. Alvarez weighed in at that weight, but was an unofficial 165 pounds when he got into the ring while Mayweather, who weighed in at 150 1/2 pounds, was an even 150.

Mayweather's speed was the difference all night as he was able to land straight rights and left jabs, then get out of the way before Alvarez was able to respond. But while Mayweather used great defense, he wasn't afraid to attack often and at different angles, finding Alvarez with punches he couldn't anticipate.

"He's very talented, very elusive," Alvarez said.

When it was over, Mayweather didn't even celebrate, walking over to a corner to look at the crowd. Just another payday, just another win for Money May. The only suspense came when it was announced the decision wasn't unanimous.

"I can't control what the judges do," Mayweather said.

Alvarez was supposed to be Mayweather's greatest challenge and he did his best to force the action. Like others, though, he couldn't solve the puzzle that is Mayweather and spent much of his night punching at an opponent who had already moved away from him.

"I didn't know how to get him, it's extremely simple," Alvarez said. "He's a great fighter, very intelligent. The frustration was getting in there, but he's a great fighter. We tried to catch him."

The sellout crowd at the MGM Grand tried its best to urge Alvarez on, but the cheers of "Canelo! Canelo!" were faint and wistful by the late rounds. Mayweather was so much in charge that the only question was whether the ringside judges would allow him to pitch a shutout.

Mayweather came out aggressive and used his speed to hit Alvarez with one or two shots in the early rounds and then get safely out of the way. Alvarez tried to stalk Mayweather and throw right hands, but Mayweather was usually safely out of the way by the time the punches arrived.

"He's a tough competitor," Mayweather said. "A tough competitor."

Alvarez kept trying to force the fight, but every time he went after Mayweather he paid for it with a counter right or a combination to the head. By the fourth round he was beginning to get frustrated, landing a low blow that angered Mayweather, who was further angered when Alvarez refused to touch gloves with him to resume the fight.

The fight was one of the richest ever - if not the richest ever - with a live gate of $20 million and at least another $100 million from pay-per-view. Tickets were so hot that celebrities were actually offering to buy them and some tickets were being offered online for as much as $29,000.

Mayweather was the big beneficiary of that, making a guaranteed $41.5 million to $5 million for Alvarez. Add in his purse from his win over Robert Guererro in May and Mayweather made $73 million in two fights - easily making him the highest-paid athlete in the country.

Alvarez had some star power himself, with his red hair, good lucks and big punching power winning over most of his native Mexico. The fight was on free TV in Mexico, and some estimates were that 70 million people would watch.

VERDICT

Floyd Mayweather Jr gave an exhibition of defensive skills to secure the WBC and WBA light middleweight titles in Las Vegas with a majority points win over Saul Alvarez on Saturday night.

Mayweather, 36, showed his ring mastery and experience to baffle his 23-year-old opponent over 12 rounds.

Mayweather virtually emerged unmarked extending his unbeaten record to 45-0 (26KO) while Alvarez who played catch up for most of the fight dropped to 42-1-1 (36KO).

Floyd Mayweather Jr was magnanimous in victory after extending his unbeaten record to 45-0 saying: "He is a true champion. He can bounce back. He is a strong competitor. But it's nothing I haven't felt before."

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez who surprisingly was equal on points on one of the judges' scorecard acknowledged that he failed to catch Mayweather.

"I couldn't catch him. He's too elusive. I did not know how to get him. He is very intelligent, very elusive," said the 23 year-old Mexican who dropped to 42-1-1.

Floyd 'Money' Mayweather is a winner by a majority decision: 114-114 116-112 117-111

What a classic exhibition of ringcraft by one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers in the history of the sport.

Round 12

Floyd is running circles round Canelo as if it is the first round and scoring at will. Canelo is rooted to the centre of the ring as Floyd taunts him by dropping both hands.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Round 11

Canelo cannot land scoring blows as Floyd is floating like a butterfly. Floyd connects with a double left and right. Canelo stands in the middle like a punching bag for Floyd. Canelo misses a big right by a mile.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Round 10

Canelo is stalking Floyd loading his right in the hope of landing a big punch. Floyd is peppering Canelo on the ropes with left jabs and uppercuts. Canelo catches him on the ropes but Floyd's defence is impeccable.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Round Nine

Floyd lands a solid right on the jaw of Canelo executing his game plan to perfection being virtually unmarked.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Round Eight

Floyd is dictating the pace of the moving around and lying on the ropes and counter punching with left jabs and teaching the 23 year-old Canelo a boxing lesson.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Round Seven

Floyd is staggered by a one-two combination and has no defence to the American's left jabs. Floyd is virtually toying with Canelo catching him with a right hook and uppercut pinning him to a corner.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Round Six

Floyd lands more right hands in this round than Canelo who looks like an amateur and is virtually outboxed.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Round Five

Canelo lans a right uppercut and seems to be finding his range finally. Floyd is dancing around and scoriing at will. The champion is in total control of the fight.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-10 Alvarez

Round Four

Canelo is cautioned for a low blow as he is frustrated at failing to break the compact defence of Floyd who counter attacks with his right. Floyd is landing jabs at will and manages a wry smile when Canelo lands a jab.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Round Three

Big round for Floyd who is on target with his left and scores with two big right hands. Canelo is playing catch up as Floyd backs away.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Round Two

Canelo comes out leading with his right while Floyd catches him on the counter with his left hook. Canelo finally uses his left jab at the end.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Round One

Floyd leads the round with sharp jabs to the body and face as Canelo plants himself in the middle of the ring looking for an opening to land the big punch.

Emirates 24|7 Unofficial Scorecard Mayweather 10-9 Alvarez

Kenny Bayless is the referee in charge of 'The One' Big Fight between two unbeaten gladiators.

The introductions by ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.

Floyd 'Money' Mayweather enters the arena with Justin Bieber walking him to the blue corner.

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez is the first to enter the arena in a gown of green, red and white of Mexico.

The national anthems of Mexico and USA have been sung.

GARCIA RETAINS TITLE

Danny Garcia wins by a unanimous decision: 115-111, 114-112, 114-112 to retain his Super Lightweight titles.

Furious end to a bruising battle in which the Argentinean challenger Matthysse fought gamely with almost one eye closed for the half the bout.

Matthysse had a knockdown in round 11 while Garcia was docked points for a low blow in the final round.

The appetiser before the main event is about to begin as WBC super lightweight champion Lucas Matthysse from Argentina takes on the unbeaten lightweight champion Danny Garcia from Philadelphia.

Carlos Molina is the new IBF Junior Middleweight Champion having been adjudged the winner by a split decision.

The second bout on the undercard between Ishe Smith and Carlos Molina which saw more grappling than boxing is finally over.

MGM Grand Arena is abuzz with some celebrities having already ahead of the main event as the first fight on the undercard sees Pablo Cesar Cano winning a split decision over Ashley Theophane.

Among them are Justin Bieber, Diddy, Denzel Washington, Heidi Klum, Jack Nicholson (below), Kobe Bryant. (@BoxingInsider.com)

"Nobody can beat Mayweather," says actor Nicholson in a television interview on ringside as second fight on the undercard between Ishe Smith and Carlos Molina was taking place.

The career earnings of the world's highest-paid athlete Floyd Mayweather Jr is set to hit $350 million after his 12-round title with Canelo Alvarez.

Mayweather will receive a record guarantee of $41.5 million (Canelo is due $5 million) and is in line for a total payout millions more after all of the pay-per-view (PPV) receipts are counted, according to Forbes.com.

In a 17-year career full of monster paydays, it will be the biggest one yet, topping the $45 million, including his share of PPV revenue, for fighting Miguel Cotto in 2012. Mayweather’s cumulative earnings will likely hit $350 million with the Canelo fight, according to the report.

JUSTIN BIEBER

Just hours before Floyd Mayweather Jr enters the ring for his welterweight title fight against Canelo Alvarez, he has been seen hanging out with his biggest supporter - Justin Bieber.

After walking into the ring accompanied by Lil Wayne before his last match on May 4, the undefeated boxing champion is leaning on his biggest supporter, according to hollywoodlife.com.

Less than 24 hours before the main event, Justin posted a black and white picture of himself and Floyd chatting and getting chummy. Justin might be the biggest Floyd fan on the planet, so it’s no surprise that he was promoting the fight: “Go to showtime.net to get the fight and support the champ @FloydMayweather. I’ll be there too,” Justin captioned the picture, the report added.

TYSON, LEWIS PREDICTIONS

The die has been cast for what is billed as the richest pay-per-view card in boxing history between two unbeaten fighters at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Mexican star Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez aims to spoil the unblemished record of American Floyd 'Money' Mayweather Jr as they vie for the WBA and WBC light-middleweight title.

The odds are heavily stacked heavily in favour of Mayweather with two former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis prepared to put the money on him.

"Floyd has transcended the game so much that the best fighters out there now try to emulate his style. Floyd wins by a decision," says Tyson.

"Mayweather will win because of his speed and experience," says Lewis.

Bernard Hopkins begs to differ.

"This fight is 50/50. It can go either way. Floyd has speed and wisdom. Canelo is strong and big."

Floyd Mayweather, who is fighting twice in the same calendar year for the first time since 2007, weighed in 1 1/2 pounds lighter than Mexican star Saul Alvarez on Friday.

The boisterous crowd of about 12,000 that squeezed into the MGM arena cheered loudly when Alvarez tipped the scales right on the catch weight of 152 pounds one day ahead of their 12-round world title bout for the 154-pound title held Alvarez.

The world's highest paid athlete Mayweather puts his perfect record on the line when he squares off against Alvarez in a showdown between the two undefeated boxers on Saturday.

The 36-year-old Mayweather weighed in at 150 1/2 pounds just under the mutually decided catch weight of 152 pounds.

Alvarez (42-0-1) hasn't weighed 152 or less for a fight since 2011, while Mayweather has fought above 147 just twice - for the Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Cotto wins.



Saturday's fight has generated huge interest, especially in Mexico where the 23-year-old Alvarez is considered one of their biggest sporting heroes.

The fight with Alvarez is the second in Mayweather's six-bout, 30-month contract with American cable network Showtime that could pay him more than $200 million.

After Mayweather beat Robert Guerrero in May, he said he wanted to fight again in September.

Mayweather's guaranteed purse for the Alvarez fight is reported to be a record $41 million which would surpass the previous record of $32 million he received for fighting Guerrero.

Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao tried several times to get Mayweather in the ring but each time the American scuttled those negotiations with new demands.

Mayweather told ESPN that Pacquiao, who is also a politician in his native Philippines, is no longer on his radar.

"Pacquiao is not even fighting in the US anymore," Mayweather said. "I am fighting one of the top guys in the sport."

The fight with Alvarez is the second in Mayweather's six-bout, 30-month contract with American cable network Showtime that could pay him more than $200 million.

After Mayweather beat Robert Guerrero in May, he said he wanted to fight again in September - marking the first time since 2007 he will be in the ring twice in a calendar year.

The bigger and stronger Saul Alvarez, who goes by the nickname 'Canelo', has built his own unbeaten record and is regarded by many as the biggest threat yet to Mayweather.

"I want to be the best," said Alvarez. "He is considered the best and I want to beat him.

"It is going to be a difficult fight. A chess match."

Organizers are also hoping that this fight will eclipse two million pay-per-view sales. Mayweather will also get a cut of the pay-per-view money on top of his guaranteed purse.

Mayweather says he will take nothing for granted when he faces WBA and WBC champ Alvarez.

The last time Mayweather stopped an opponent inside the distance was two years ago and that came when Victor Ortiz lowered both his hands and was looking at the referee. Mayweather seized the moment and hit Ortiz with a combination of fight-ending punches.

TACTICS

The world's highest paid athlete Floyd Mayweather puts his perfect record on the line when he squares off against Mexican dynamo Saul Alvarez in a showdown between two undefeated boxers on Saturday.

The 12-round showdown at the MGM Grand hotel will be contested at 152 pounds with Alvarez's World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association super welterweight titles on the line.

Mayweather, who will make at least $41 million for this fight, surprisingly told ESPN on Thursday that he is still waiting to hear what game plan his trainer/father Floyd Sr. has in store for him.

"Training camp went well. I am pretty sure my father has a brilliant game plan," Mayweather told ESPN.

Asked by the commentator to explain why, with just two days to go before the fight, he didn't know what his father's tactics were going to be, Mayweather gave a rambling answer.

"I am talking about what my father has in store. You don't have a game plan eight weeks into the fight," said Mayweather, who is undefeated in 44 fights. "Because right before I go into the ring my dad is going to say 'this is what I want you to work on'. So I go out there and do it.

"It is all about the skills."

Former pro boxer Floyd Mayweather Sr. taught his son to fight and was his trainer early in Floyd Jr.'s career.

They had a falling out and the uncle, Roger Mayweather, took over as Floyd Jr.'s trainer. Then earlier this year Floyd Jr made up with his father and this marks the second straight bout Floyd Sr. will be running the show.

"I am happy my dad is back with team and we are working hand to hand," Mayweather said at Wednesday's news conference. "If the game plan is to keep pressure I know how to handle it. If the game plan is to box, can't nobody outbox me."

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