“The One” Floyd Mayweather vs Canelo Alvarez Fight Week Notebook

The following is a special edition of the Boxing Insider notebook for the upcoming super fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

Weigh in Results:

Floyd Mayweather 150 1/2 vs Canelo Alvarez 152
Lucas Mattyhsse 140 vs Danny Garcia 140

Current Betting Odds from Sportsbook

Floyd Mayweather Jr -260 vs Saul Canelo Alvarez +200

Alvarez by Decision+550
Alvarez by KO – TKO – DQ+400
Draw+1800
Mayweather Jr by Decision-160
Mayweather Jr by KO – TKO – DQ

Lucas Martin Matthysse -225 vs Danny Garcia +175

WBC Creates Special Belt for Mayweather vs. Alvarez

World Boxing Council has created a one of a kind solid gold belt to present to the winner of the biggest boxing event of 2013.

Shown to the media by WBC President Jose Sulaiman for the first time last Tuesday, the green and gold belt, which was designed by a Mexican artisan, measures 1.28 meters in length by 30 centimeters in height and is made of pure gold and Italian leather. It also includes the Mexico Tourism logo, which will mark the winner as an ambassador of Mexico, not only in Mexico, but throughout the world.

In attendance for the unveiling in Mexico City were some of Mexico’s biggest boxing names, including Ultiminio Ramos, Pipino Cuevas, Isaac Bustos, Rafael Limón, Ana María Torres, Daniel Estrada, Yesica Chávez and Adrián Hernández.

Untelevised Undercard Announced

Competing in non-televised bouts will be Las Vegas talents, Luis “Cuba” Arias, Ronald “The Thrill” Gavril, Lanell Bellows and Andrew “Beast” Tabiti, as well as Ohio standout Chris “Sweet” Pearson.

“The fighters we have on this card are some of the most exciting and talented in the sport today,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Before Floyd and Canelo get into the ring, these up and comers are going to fight their hearts out and show why we’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the coming years.”

“Saturday night’s fight card is going to be electric from start to finish,” said Oscar De La Hoya, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Giving these young fighters the opportunity to showcase their talent on this monstrous card is what being a promoter is all about – giving the future of the sport a chance to become stars.”

Owner of a 140-25 amateur record, Luis Arias (6-0, 3 KO’s) is making his name known in the super middleweight division and he is doing so in an impressive style. Coming off of victories over DonYil Livingston and Latif Mundy, the 23-year-old Milwaukee native will meet an opponent to be announced in a six-round bout.

Romania native Ronald Gavril (6-0, 5 KO’s) has made a positive impression on fight fans since relocating to Las Vegas in May of 2012, winning four straight bouts to improve to 6-0 as a professional. In August, the 27-year-old knocked out Dave Courchaine in two rounds. On September 14, he will take on Flint, Michigan’s Shujaa El Amin (12-4, 6 KO’s), who was formerly known as Dion Savage, in an eight-round super middleweight bout.

Dayton, Ohio’s Chris Pearson (11-0, 8 KO’s) is back in the ring to face Westerly, Rhode Island’s Joshua Williams (9-5, 5 KO’s) in an eight-round middleweight matchup. It will be the first fight for Pearson since his sixth-round technical knockout of Arturo Crespin on July 19 that kept him unbeaten and continued building his reputation as a fighter to watch at 160 pounds.

Opening evening will be two four-round matchups featuring super middleweight Lanell Bellows (5-0-1, 4 KO’s) against Logan, West Virginia’s Jordan Moore (3-0) and cruiserweight Andrew Tabiti (1-0, 1 KO) against Nskayumn, New York’s Edward Smith (1-0).

Molina’s Trainer Says Molina Will Knock Out Smith

Victor Mateo, trainer of upcoming world title challenger, “King” Carlos Molina says Team Molina has their fighter in the shape of his life and ready to beat up and possibly knock out Ishe Smith this Saturday.

Molina (21-5-2, 6 KOs) will face defending champion and Las Vegas resident Smith (25-5 11 KOs) for the IBF Light Middleweight Championship this Saturday, September 14, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The pair will meet on the pay-per-view televised undercard of the 12-round Floyd “Money” Mayweather vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fight for Canelo’s WBC and WBA Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather’s WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship.

“He’s really strong,” said Mateo of his Chicago-based junior middleweight, Molina. “I never felt this power in him before or seen the look that he has in his eyes. Not too many fighters have this look: the ‘I’m going to kill you’ look. He’s got it. I haven’t seen that look in a fighter in a long time, since Roberto Duran. He’s in the best shape of his life. You’re going to see the best Carlos Molina the world has ever seen on Saturday.”

“It’s been a long training camp. The fight was postponed once before, so we were careful not to burn him out. It went very well. We’re working more on his balance and more a lot of technical stuff. But as far as training we’re just doing more of what we always do.”

Mateo says an unusual series of coincidences brought him and Molina together about seven years ago.

I always say God gave me this direction. I was an amateur boxer, but I gave it up due to a shoulder injury. Years later, my brother Louie suggested I start working with kids at the local gym. I started with this one kid and within six months, he won the junior Olympics and all kids of other tournaments. That’s when I realized I had a talent. From there, I started getting more people and getting good things out of them, even kids they never thought would go anywhere. I was working with another kid, a featherweight who was undefeated. He was getting ready for one of the fights and all of a sudden, I see this guy I’d never seen before standing there. It was Carlos. He asked me if we needed a sparring partner? I said yeah, put your gear on. After the sparring session, the heavyweight Fres Oquendo was ready to go in the ring and Carlos wanted to go spar with Fres! I couldn’t believe it. He would get in with anybody. The following day, Carlos came back to the gym and asked me if I’d work with him. We’ve been together ever since. And a few times since then, I have put him in with heavyweights and he was tearing them up.

Mateo says he feels blessed to be part of such a big event and is glad he saw what he saw in the raw version of Molina that day.

“People used to tell me all the time that Carlos isn’t going to go anywhere and ask me why was I wasting my time? But I saw something special in him. He was a hard worker. He needed a little more polishing, but he was able to learn and absorb everything. I always felt like he would be champion one day.”

Despite opponent Smith’s contention that the fight will be an easy win for him, Mateo says he’s expecting a big night for his fighter.

“Smith is a strong guy. He likes to throw the double and triple jabs and right hand and likes to counter with the hook a lot. He’s a well-conditioned fighter. It’s not going to be easy, but I guarantee we’re going to win. I see Carlos beating him up and hurting him with pressure, possibly knocking him out.”

Mayweather vs. Alvarez Coverage Across ESPN Platforms

· SportsCenter

– Analysis and interviews throughout the week led by hostRobert Flores and boxing expertsDan Rafael, Teddy Atlas, and bilingual reporterBernardo Osuna.

– Fighter arrivals (Tuesday, 5:50 p.m. ET).

– “Atlas Fight Plan” in which analyst Atlas will illustrate what each fighter needs to do to win.

– Press conference coverage and fighter interviews (Wednesday, 4 p.m.).

– Thursday interviews with Alvarez (4:20 p.m.) and Mayweather (6:20 p.m.).

– Interview with Oscar De La Hoya (Thursday, during 5 p.m. hour).

– Set presence at the MGM Garden Arena: live weigh-in coverage (Friday, during 5:30 p.m. hour) and pre- and post-fight coverage.

– ESPN Deportes’Semana de Campeones (Week of Champions)

– A Los Golpes: ESPN Deportes will air three specialA Los Golpes shows— one providing in depth analysis and discussion of the fight(Monday, 5:30 p.m. from Los Angeles), one to cover fighter arrivals (Wednesday, 12 a.m. from Las Vegas) and one to cover the main event press conference (Wednesday, 7 p.m. from Las Vegas). Commentators:David Faitelson,Osuna,Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., hall of fame referee Joe Cortez, Jorge Eduardo Sanchez, Claudia Trejos and Kary Correa.

– Golpe a Golpe:ESPN Deportes will air four specialGolpe a Golpe shows — one to cover the undercard press conference, (Thursday, 7p.m.), one to cover the weigh-in live, (Friday, 5:30 p.m.), one before the fights (Saturday, 8 p.m.) and another show with live post-fight coverage (Saturday (2 a.m.). Coverage will be led byFaitelson,Osuna, Chavez Sr., Cortez, Sanchez, Trejos andCorrea. Legendary Mexican boxing champion Juan Manuel Marquez will provide analysis via satellite Friday and Saturday.

– SportsCenter, Capitanes, Radio Formula, #Redes, Cronometro, and Nacionwill have daily segments previewing the fight. SportsCenterwill have live post-fight coverage immediately after the fights.

Digital

– ESPN3 coverage of press conference and weigh-in live: ESPN3 will carry Wednesday’s press conference (4p.m.) and Friday’s weigh-in (5:30 p.m.) live on computers, smartphones, tablets, Xbox and Apple TV to fans who receive their Internet or video subscription from an affiliated provider.

– ESPN.com

– Comprehensive coverage from Las Vegas includes stories fromRafael, Kieran Mulvaney, Nigel Collins, Brian Campbell and Brett Okamoto and content integration with ESPN Deportes.

– Live blog featuring ESPN.com’s on-site staff and ESPN The Magazine writers Tim Keown and Pablo Torre beginning Wednesday at 3 p.m. and running through the fights on Sept. 14.

– “Fight Credential,” ESPN.com’s home page for all Mayweather-Alvarez coverage, updated with features, video, photos and social media from all platforms throughout the week and through the fight.

– A live edition of ESPN.com’s original boxing show,Making the Rounds, will run immediately after the weigh-in ends on Friday.

Print/Digital

– ESPN The Magzine’s The Fight Issue:Currently on newsstands, The Fight Issue includes:

– Features by Torre (http://es.pn/14gmfXE) and Keown (http://es.pn/17Cxs1N).

– Photo galleries: Alvarez (http://es.pn/14YpEsM) Mayweather (http://es.pn/19dAomv).

– Videos on ESPN.com (http://es.pn/15Bn9Iy) (http://es.pn/14gmfXE).

Showtime Sports to Stream: The One: Mayweather vs. Canelo Fight Week Events

Showtime sports will stream “The One: Mayweather vs. Canelo” Fight Week Events Live Via Satellite, Youtube, USStream & Online at sports.sho.com

Tuesday: Grand Arrivals
Wednesday: Mayweather vs. Canelo Final Presser
Thursday: Garcia vs. Matthysse Final Presser
Friday: Official Weigh-In
Saturday: Countdown Live Preview Show

The Countdown to “The One: Mayweather vs. Canelo” Continues on Fox Deporte

FOX Deportes will continue its unprecedented run of pre-event coverage from Monday all the way up until the opening bell of the September 14 Pay-Per-View broadcast in Las Vegas.

Kicking off with episode two of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. Canelo at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT, Monday, September 9’s coverage will continue with the 2011 bout between co-headliner Danny “Swift” Garcia and Nate Campbell at 2 p.m. ET/PT and a 4 p.m. ET/PT airing of the acclaimed documentary “Canelo Corazon de Campeon.”

More than 10 hours of “THE ONE” content will take over the channel on Tuesday, September 10, featuring two airings of the Countdown: Mayweather vs. Canelo special, Garcia’s 2012 knockout of British star Amir Khan, Alvarez’ 2008 win over Larry Mosley, the record-setting Mayweather vs. Oscar de la Hoya bout from 2007, and back-to-back airings of the first two episodes of ALL ACCESS.

Starting at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT on Wednesday, September 11, the action heats up even more, as ALL ACCESS episode one is followed by back-to-back airings of co-headliner Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse’s bout with Zab Judah, Matthysse’s 2012 win over Olusegun Ajose, Garcia vs. Khan, Mayweather’s 2007 knockout of Ricky Hatton, and Alvarez’ 2011 win over Matthew Hatton.

On Thursday, September 12, ALL ACCESS episode two will start the day off right at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT, with Garcia’s title-winning effort over Mexican legend Erik Morales airing at 2 p.m. ET/PT. And in the evening, FOX Deportes returns to the ring from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET/PT with Countdown: Mayweather vs. Canelo, ALL ACCESS episode two, Mayweather’s 2011 win over Victor Ortiz, and Alvarez’ victory over Jose Cotto.

Weigh in day, Friday, September 13, will be headlined by the live Mayweather vs. Canelo weigh in at 6 p.m. ET/PT, but before and after the fighters get on the scale, fans can watch Countdown: Mayweather vs. Canelo (11:30 a.m. ET/PT), ALL ACCESS episode one (2 p.m. ET/PT), ALL ACCESS episode two (4 p.m. ET/PT), and then see “Canelo Corazon de Campeon,” Alvarez vs. Shane Mosley, Mayweather vs. Mosley, and Mayweather vs. Marquez from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT.

But the countdown to “THE ONE” wouldn’t be complete without fight day coverage, and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET/PT, Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto, ALL ACCESS episode one, Alvarez vs. Shane Mosley, and ALL ACCESS episode four will lead fans right into “THE ONE.”

Special Offer if you Buy Porter vs. Diaz II Tickets

If you BUY any price Sept 12 Porter vs. Diaz ll fight ticket you will receive the following:

1) VIP ENTRANCE AT 9/13 MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO WEIGH IN: Upon entrance to the Sept 12 venue, purchaser will receive a special wristband which will entitle them to special VIP Access for the Friday Mayweather vs. Canelo Weigh-In at the MGM Grand Garden. NO LINES AND A GUARANTEED SEAT (as long as you show up before 2 pm!!) Doors to the weigh-in open at noon. Purchasers will also receive;

2) 10% OFF MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO CLOSED CIRCUIT TICKETS: Take your Sept 12 ticket stub to any box office showing the Closed Circuit on Saturday night and get 10% off the closed circuit purchase (one ticket gets you one 10% off) at the following closed circuit venues showing the fight Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, NY NY, Aria, Monte Carlo and Mirage

Press Conference Quotes

FLOYD MAYWEATHER:

“Its fight time, what else can I say? If the game plan is to keep pressure, I can handle it. If the game plan is to out box me, nobody can out box me. You have to be able to out match me mentally, and I’m the strongest mental fighter in the sport of boxing.

“I’ve been here before so I know what it takes. He’s 42-0, but he hasn’t faced 42 Floyd Mayweathers because he’d be 0-42. I’m at the pinnacle. I’m the face of boxing and I’m dedicated to my craft.

“I’m Floyd Mayweather; I can turn any fighter into a star. I don’t worry about running out of opponents. I’ve got guys under my banner I can turn into stars and fight.”

“September 14 is just another stepping stone, another opponent to me. But he knows he’s facing Floyd Mayweather; I’m facing just another opponent.

“Career-wise, I’m OK, no matter what the outcome is. I never worry about the outcome. When I go into any fight, I’m not focused on the money or anything. I’m focused on going out there, performing well, and giving the fans what they want to see – excitement. That’s what it’s all about; it’s about the fans winning. He’s still got a lot of weight to get off. My weight is made, I woke up this morning 150 (pounds).

“I guess other fighters look at it as you win some, you lose some. Me, I look at it as I want to win them all. I’m a winner. I don’t lose.

On how he knows Canelo still has to cut weight:

“I know it, because it’s my job to know it. My job as a fighter to know everything about any opponent I’m facing.”

On his most important advantage:

“Being able to just make changes and adjust instantly. It’s no different from you seeing Shane (Mosley) hit me with a good shot. I say it’s not a problem, because Shane isn’t going to cut me on my face, I’m not going for that. But Shane is a future Hall of Famer; I can’t take anything away from Shane. And someday Canelo will go down in the Hall of Fame, as one of the opponents I beat.”

CANELO ALVAREZ:

“I don’t care about his record. I’m not coming to make a good fight, I’m coming to win.

“When you fight Floyd you have to be ready for every aspect of a fight. You have to be able to adjust mentally as well as physically. I have to be very, very smart and ready to change my plan at any time.

“You’ll see how I do it. You’ll see how I beat him. I’m calm and I’m just ready to fight.

“We’ve prepared like never before. Floyd is a fighter who throws like five punchers a round and he lands them – that’s why he wins rounds. But we’re prepared for that; we’re prepared for everything.

“I’m ready for the best Floyd possible. He can change his game plan and I will be ready.

“I’ve studied him. I know his style and I know what he’s going to do. “I’m confident I will win because I know everything about him. I’ve prepared for everything.

“It’s important from the opening bell to fight smart and not fall into his game plan. I need to stick to my plan, not fall into his.

“He’s a very good counterpuncher but I’m ready for that. I have to be smart with his counterpunching but I’m confident we can handle it.

“It’s important to throw combinations. You have to know how to apply them and you have to hit the head and the body. That will be key.

It truly is a pleasure to be part of this. I appreciate all of the support for this fight. I want to thank my team for working hard with me. On Saturday night, I will be victorious.”

On having all of Mexico rooting for him:

“There’s no pressure whatsoever. It’s motivating to have all of Mexico rooting for me.”

On why Floyd hasn’t talked much trash leading into this fight:

“I think it’s because his other opponents want to talk trash. I respect everyone except when we get in the ring.”

Fighters Make Their Predictions

Mike Tyson, Former World Heavyweight Champion, (Mayweather): “I’ve only seen Canelo fight twice — against [Josesito] Lopez and [Austin] Trout. Trout gave him some trouble and he isn’t as experienced and as technically skilled as Floyd is. Floyd stays in tip-top shape and is a very relaxed fighter. He is at his peak. It’s going to be hard for anybody to beat Floyd now unless he doesn’t train. Floyd has transcended the game so much that the best fighters out there now try to emulate his style. Floyd wins by a decision.”

Lennox Lewis, Former World Heavyweight Champion, (Mayweather): “Mayweather will win because of his speed and experience. He’s been at this level before so that will also be an advantage. He’s the best until proven otherwise. Canelo is talented, young, strong and dangerous … makes it all the more exciting.”

Bernard Hopkins, IBF Light Heavyweight World Champion: “This fight is 50/50. It can go either way. Floyd has speed and wisdom. Canelo is strong and big. This is a massive fight and the outcome will impact both of their careers in a major way.”

Paulie Malignaggi, Former World Welterweight Champion, (Mayweather): “You can’t count Canelo out because he’s a natural junior middleweight so he has a chance. But at the end of the day it’s Mayweather winning on points.”

Carlos Molina [who is challenging Ishe Smith], (Mayweather): “At first it looks like Mayweather’s experience and speed will be too much for Canelo. But then you think about it and Canelo is young and strong. This is boxing. You just never know. I would say at this point it is 60-40 Mayweather.”

Chris Arreola, Heavyweight Contender, (Mayweather): “He’s got the experience and he’s been in a lot of big fights before. That is not to say Canelo hasn’t, but Mayweather has been in more and knows what to do in a fight of this magnitude. I think Canelo took this fight two fights too soon. Mayweather by decision.”

Zab Judah, Former World Champion, (Mayweather): “Mayweather is too fast and has great timing. I just don’t see Canelo hitting him. I don’t see Canelo being able to do anything to Floyd.”

Seth Mitchell, Heavyweight Contender (Mayweather): “Floyd’s boxing IQ is just too great. His offense, defense is just too good.”

Rafael Marquez, Former Two-Division World Champion, (Canelo): “The winner of this fight is the boxer with the most intelligence and power … and I hope it is going to be Canelo.’

Gary Russell, Jr., Undefeated World-Ranked Featherweight, (Mayweather): “In order for Floyd to beat Canelo, he has to keep Canelo on the outside and outbox him and pot shot him. Floyd needs to make it clear that he’s landing the cleaner and more effective punches. For Canelo to win, he needs to make the fight ugly and finish his combinations with a hook. He has to make it ugly and rough for Floyd. If Canelo makes it close, he will win.”

Rau’shee Warren, Three-time U.S. Olympian and Bantamweight Prospect, (Mayweather): “Floyd’s a chameleon; he can adapt to any type of style in the ring. Canelo is a one-dimensional fighter; he wants to bang it out and brawl. He thinks that hitting Floyd in the arms will wear him down, and I think he needs a better strategy than that. It’s going be a good fight though. Canelo is young and hungry, he’s going to come to fight, but he’s going to see that Floyd’s a teacher in there. I have to go with Floyd, but I’m ready to see what Canelo brings to the table.”

Marcus Browne, 2012 U.S. Olympian and Light Heavyweight Prospect, (Mayweather): “I think Floyd wins the fight in 10 rounds because he has a huge edge in experience and he’s a better all-around fighter than Canelo.”

Daniel Jacobs, Middleweight Contender: “I think the fans will be the real winners on this whole card. I don’t really like making predictions but I know that in a card of this magnitude, the fans will come out on top. All of the fighters have to be at 100 percent because if at any given second a mistake is made that might be the deciding factor in both fights.”

Lucas Matthysse, Interim WBC Super Lightweight Champion: “If the fight goes the distance then Floyd Mayweather will win but if Canelo Alvarez fights intelligently he could win the fight.”

Adrien Broner: “Floyd Mayweather will win by KO in the late rounds.