FLOYD Mayweather takes on Saul Alvarez in probably the most anticipated boxing fight of the year in Las Vegas on Sunday morning (SA time).
Pundits believe it could eclipse Mayweather's 2007 showdown against Oscar de la Hoya, which clocked up a record 2.44-million pay-per-view buys.
Alvarez, 23, is considerably younger than Mayweather, 36, but having turned professional at the tender age of 15 years, three months and 11 days, he boasts nearly the same amount of ring time - 43 fights to 44, or 277 rounds to 327.
Who is likely to win?
Most people are tipping Mayweather. Showtime, broadcaster of the fight, polled 69 boxers and media personnel, and 60 of them picked Mayweather.
Seven went with Alvarez and two predicted a draw.
Any real heavyweights backing Alvarez?
George Foreman is backing the Mexican to win inside the distance.
Do Mayweather and Alvarez have opponents in common?
Two - Shane Mosley and Carlos Baldomir.
Mayweather beat both on points by wide margins (Baldomir in 2006 and Mosley in 2010), though he was rocked by Mosley in the second round. Alvarez won a unanimous decision over Mosley in 2012 and knocked out Baldomir in 2010.
Can Alvarez spring a surprise?
Yes! Being younger he will possess hunger and stamina. Being the naturally heavier guy he is stronger, and he can end a fight with one punch. He is also, as Mosley pointed out, deceptively quick.
Will the extra weight loss affect Alvarez adversely?
He has to lose an extra two pounds (less than 1kg) for today's weigh-in, but he should be young enough to regain his strength and bulk over the 24 hours-plus before the fight. There is talk, however, that he has been struggling to make the 154-pound (69.85kg) junior-middleweight limit in his past few bouts, leaving him drained.
Does Mayweather have any weaknesses?
He has frequently hurt his hands over the years, and getting older never helps. There are question marks over his desire to soak up sustained punishment - not that he has been in that position, yet.
Mayweather's advantage?
Always in superb shape. Stylistically he has everything a fighter could want, and his biggest assets are timing and speed. He also has a slightly longer reach than Alvarez (182cm to 179.07cm), and he knows how to use that leverage to perfection.
Key issues for Floyd vs Alvarez
FLOYD Mayweather takes on Saul Alvarez in probably the most anticipated boxing fight of the year in Las Vegas on Sunday morning (SA time).
Pundits believe it could eclipse Mayweather's 2007 showdown against Oscar de la Hoya, which clocked up a record 2.44-million pay-per-view buys.
Alvarez, 23, is considerably younger than Mayweather, 36, but having turned professional at the tender age of 15 years, three months and 11 days, he boasts nearly the same amount of ring time - 43 fights to 44, or 277 rounds to 327.
Who is likely to win?
Most people are tipping Mayweather. Showtime, broadcaster of the fight, polled 69 boxers and media personnel, and 60 of them picked Mayweather.
Seven went with Alvarez and two predicted a draw.
Any real heavyweights backing Alvarez?
George Foreman is backing the Mexican to win inside the distance.
Do Mayweather and Alvarez have opponents in common?
Two - Shane Mosley and Carlos Baldomir.
Mayweather beat both on points by wide margins (Baldomir in 2006 and Mosley in 2010), though he was rocked by Mosley in the second round. Alvarez won a unanimous decision over Mosley in 2012 and knocked out Baldomir in 2010.
Can Alvarez spring a surprise?
Yes! Being younger he will possess hunger and stamina. Being the naturally heavier guy he is stronger, and he can end a fight with one punch. He is also, as Mosley pointed out, deceptively quick.
Will the extra weight loss affect Alvarez adversely?
He has to lose an extra two pounds (less than 1kg) for today's weigh-in, but he should be young enough to regain his strength and bulk over the 24 hours-plus before the fight. There is talk, however, that he has been struggling to make the 154-pound (69.85kg) junior-middleweight limit in his past few bouts, leaving him drained.
Does Mayweather have any weaknesses?
He has frequently hurt his hands over the years, and getting older never helps. There are question marks over his desire to soak up sustained punishment - not that he has been in that position, yet.
Mayweather's advantage?
Always in superb shape. Stylistically he has everything a fighter could want, and his biggest assets are timing and speed. He also has a slightly longer reach than Alvarez (182cm to 179.07cm), and he knows how to use that leverage to perfection.
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