As the years have gone by, I give more and more props to Mayweather for his technical ability and his longevity at such a high level. No doubt in my mind, a brilliant defensive fighter...a great one. But with that said, I think Canelo gives Mayweather some stylistic problems compounded by the size differential. But the size differential will be different this time...Canelo won't look to impose it...and Mayweather will choose not to oppose it. Canelo causes Mayweather some problems by pressing but not fully engaging and waiting on Floyd to initiate. He will attempt to counter the counter puncher, by intermittent flurries. He will mostly miss...but he will excite the crowd. Canelo is excellent at varying his punches up and down with good placement...when Mayweather moves, Canelo will follow casually, saving energy. Canelo makes it look close with a window dressing type strategy. The event will be the spectacle, not the fight... SD either way...maybe a draw.
Most of his critics have'nt critique'd Mayweather's skillset or even mettle, but his cherrypicking. I dont see where Mayweather silences his critics when even his critics are making him the favorite here. Cotto before he was shot, Margarito, Paul Williams, etc.....Mayweather would have been favored over everyone of them, but he did'nt have the balls to face them when it counted, thats where he's being critique'd. What may be shown here is the reason why Mayweather dodged all those fighters. A victory here from Canelo would probably indicated and point to the reason why the cherrypicks.
I will say this is possible but not likely. Waiting on Floyd could be fatal, JMM is one of the best counter punchers I have seen and he could not do it. The real problem for Alvarez is that any strategy requires him to out skill Floyd. Floyd has shown that he can adapt to any style, so a good plan will only get you a round,then Floyd adapts and negates the tactics used. I just can't think of any fighter under 154 that has the skill to implement the strategy and adapt with Floyd. If ward were smaller or rigo was bigger those two guys would have a good chance. All others have to hope to land something that really hurts Floyd, or they can't win.
I just hope team Canelo's only plan is not to KO Floyd. The combination of Canelo's size and non negligible boxing ability could be used to formulate a plan that can back Floyd in a controlled manner and in doing so, limit Floyd's power, increase Canelo's, and all factors mentioned being favorable in scoring. If winning the rounds is their first gameplan (and no, not by outboxing) we could have some serious drama. Canelo being able to hurt Floyd, Floyd will have to assume as a given, add a solid strategy with which to win rounds and Floyd will have his hands full. With Canelo's size, 0, and boxing ability a gameplan that will have us witnessing, and Floyd concerned of every facet that boxing has to offer, should be possible.
@Just Rik, oscar says within 8 and canelo's trainer says in 9. They are focusing too much on power while mayweather is sharpening his skills.
does not matter after a few rounds Alvarez will find out how hard it is to land a flush punch on Floyd and he will see that a KO is very unlikely! Hopefully Alvarez will have a few different tactics, if he can give Floyd several styles it could be slightly interesting.
Canelo is not going to outbox Mayweather. He needs to apply some boxing, but the focus should be in making certain Mayweather feels his punches. I'm not talking about clean connects to Mayweathers face. Mayweather is to good defensively to allow that. I'm talking about shots to the body and punches Mayweather will be picking off his his arms and elbows. If Mayweather is made to feel those, he's going to be to preoccupied and concerned to let his hands go. Thus opening the door for Canelo to win by sheer volume and Mayweather not doing enough offensively being stuck in defensive mode ala Pernell Whitaker and Bernard Hopkins. I have a gut feeling though that if Mayweather sees himself in a close fight, he's not going to pull the stunts Whitaker and Hopkins did. I see Mayweather as having more heart than those fighters. I think he may just go on ahead and fight Canelo down the stretch of a close fight. Thats right, that would open the door for Canelo to possibly score a stoppage victory.
When facing a champ is considered an easy win that's called GREATNESS.Enjoy Money while you can everyone will miss him when he hangs them up,even the haters.