Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather demanded to face Canelo Alvarez at 152 pounds when he agreed to a deal with the young buck in 2013.
Mayweather advisor Leonard Ellerbe revealed the startling fact regarding the former pound-for-pound king’s battle with undisputed ruler Canelo. Dubbed “The One” when presented in Las Vegas, an aging 36-year-old Mayweather took on a younger whipper-snapper in Canelo at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Despite his tender years, Canelo had amassed an impressive record of 42-0-1. At the time, he was the unified super-welterweight champion at just 23. Despite his rising credentials, Mayweather had no problems signing off on negotiations for his fourth bout of a six-fight contract with Showtime Sports.
Floyd Mayweather vs Canelo
At 44-0 himself, the Las Vegas contest was seen as an alternative to fans seeing Mayweather take on Manny Pacquiao. At that time, the top four fighters in the 147- to 154-pound weight classes were Mayweather, Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao, and Canelo. The addition of ‘changing of the guard’ and ‘master vs. pupil‘ angles made the collision all the more enjoyable.
To make things more even weight-wise, Mayweather was initially expected to give tight 154-pounder Canelo a hard time. Many presumed he would ask for a maximum weight limit of 150 pounds, but not so, as Ellerbe outlined. The Mayweather Promotions CEO stated Floyd was happy to give Canelo an extra couple of pounds to prove his point to the up-and-comer about who the better fighter was.
Ellerbe stated Floyd’s decision meant the differential on fight night was almost a whopping twenty pounds.
“Before [the Canelo fight], he told the media he would be willing to fight at 50. We made it at 152. [Canelo then] Outweighed him [by] 19lbs on the night of [the fight],” said Ellerbe.
Mayweather weighed just over 150 pounds, which was definitely a push, but it was the second-highest weight mark of his career. What unfolded just a day later during the bout was nothing short of remarkable, given what Canelo has gone on to accomplish.
Even with one of the most shocking judges’ scorecards of all time, courtesy of CJ Ross, Floyd did enough to put the Mexican future superstar in his place.
Lost every round
WBN, scoring live on the night, couldn’t give Canelo a single round, such was the domination on display by the ‘Money’ Man. At his majestic best, Mayweather was always untouchable. And given Ellerbe’s fact, the victory was all the more impressive.
Due to Canelo’s weight, the fight would have been impossible in this day and age. Therefore, 2013 was the perfect time for all concerned. Canelo admitted he learned much from his experience with Mayweather and was grateful to have had the chance to face an all-time great.
Now a four-weight ruler with belts banked at 154, 160, 168, and 175, Canelo is today’s version of what Mayweather was for many years.
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
