The Times consensus: Floyd Mayweather Jr. over 'Canelo' Alvarez

1/14

Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is reflected in a mirror during a training session at his gym in Las Vegas. The double-image is made in the beveled edge of a mirror. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

2/14

Barber Jackie Starr cuts the hair of boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in his locker room before a training session in Las Vegas. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

3/14

Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is unbeaten in 44 pro fights, has a look of confidence as he prepares for a training session. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

4/14

Floyd Mayweather Jr., who has won titles in five weight divisions, lifts weights during a training session for his upcoming fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

5/14

Floyd Mayweather Jr., considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, boxes with weights in front of a mirror during a training session in Las Vegas. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

6/14

Floyd Mayweather Jr. works out on the speed bag during a training session. His quickness and counter-punching ability are two of his biggest assets in the ring. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

7/14

Floyd Mayweather Jr. talks to his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., during a training session. Mayweather was taught to box by his father, but his uncle, Roger Mayweather, has been his primary trainer for many years and his biggest bouts. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

8/14

Floyd Mayweather’s boxing gloves are neatly lined up ringside at his gym in Las Vegas. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

9/14

Floyd Mayweather Jr. hits the heavy bag as he trains in his Las Vegas gym for his upcoming championship fight against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

10/14

Floyd Mayweather Jr. works with the mitts as he progresses through his training session at his gym in Las Vegas. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

11/14

Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is known as “Money” Mayweather, is framed by the shoes of young fans watching his workout. TMT on the shoes stands for The Money Team. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

12/14

Floyd Mayweather Jr. works on his defense during a light sparring session at his gym in Las Vegas. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

13/14

Fan Famous Johnson, 5, watches as Floyd Mayweather Jr. works in the ring during a training session in Las Vegas. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

14/14

Floyd Mayweather Jr. watches himself in a mirror as he jumps rope during a training session at his gym in Las Vegas. Mayweather will fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the junior middleweight title. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

By Times staff

Sept. 12, 2013 2 PM PT

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is facing the strongest fighter he’s ever gone up against. But to know Mayweather is to understand he has perhaps the most astute boxing mind in the world. Whether it’s Canelo Alvarez’s youth, the Mexican star’s recent stamina issues or the fact that Mayweather’s sharpness is enhanced by his shortest layoff in more than a decade, believe me that Mayweather knows he’ll win this one too, likely by a decision.

— Lance Pugmire

Mayweather doesn’t have the speed he used to, and he’s always been more about finesse than raw power. Alvarez is a marvelous combination puncher, one of the best. Even so, Mayweather will still be the far quicker fighter, and his elusiveness will frustrate Alvarez, whose footwork is questionable. Mayweather should win by unanimous decision, possibly even by late knockout if Alvarez becomes desperate and begins lunging and leaving himself vulnerable.

— Mike James

There is no doubt that Mayweather is one of the best fighters of all time. But the fact you can talk about him in a historical fashion is not a good thing. It means he’s old, 36 to be exact. It’s been very sad to see Manny Pacquiao age seemingly in dog years and end any chance of the dream fight with Mayweather. Now maybe Mayweather has not reached that aging point, but it’s sure to happen somewhere during his six-fight TV contract. Alvarez may be a little slow and at a bad catchweight. But, he’s still a pretty good fighter. Expect Alvarez to dominate and seemingly win the fight easily, but the decision will go to Mayweather. Maybe even a split decision. Because boxing always finds a reason for a rematch.

— John Cherwa

Mayweather is 36, Alvarez 23. Fighters can age suddenly in the ring, but I see this as another comfortable win for Mayweather. Alvarez’s biggest victory was in his last fight, when he unified the 154-pound title against Austin Trout. Alvarez floored Trout, but the fight went the distance and their punch counts were even. Mayweather has cleverly suckered Alvarez into a 152-pound catchweight limit. And Mayweather’s quicker hand speed should allow him to land first and keep the action in the center of the ring. Fighting in his typical 45-second bursts, Mayweather should earn a clear-cut decision.

— Barry Stavro

ALSO:

Is Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Canelo Alvarez a super fight?

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is up for the challenge

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is obsessed with perfection