Old Master Mayweather Takes Canelo to School, Judge C.J. Ross Stinks Out The House
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
Las Vegas, NV (September 15, 2013)– It was the main event of a fight card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo Promotions, and Floyd Mayweather Promotions at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday evening, September 14, 2013. Floyd Mayweather Jr. won the WBC and WBA World Light Middleweight titles by majority decision 12 over Saul Alvarez, who did not look pretty at bout’s end.
When the money’s in the bank, beware of an attempt to commit robbery. For 12 rounds, Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr. took Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez to school. Floyd demonstrated a consistent jab, solid straight power shots to the head, magnificent side to side footwork, and sparkling perfectionist accuracy. It would be a stretch to give Canelo Alvarez even one or two rounds, though he did well enough over the last four rounds to make some argument for them as Floyd showboated on his feet and ran out the clock. Floyd was so much sharper he dominated the punch count in the mega fight from pillar to post. Canelo, who showed up in the ring at a blubbery 165 pounds, was too slow on his feet. His hands were also grossly slow all night, which Floyd took advantage of, making Canelo abandon the jab at the end of the fight in desperation, but it didn’t help.
Floyd look pretty at the endof the bout, basically unmarked. In contrast, Canelo’s face looked the worst after Old Master Mayweather had taken him to school. Floyd took target practice in Canelo’s face, and it was not much to look at after the bout’s conclusion.
Two judges gave Floyd a 116-112 victory, which, though a bit generous, were at least acceptable. However, the Nevada State scoring contained one scorecard which clearly stunk. In the rotten story of the night overshadowing the bout, Judge C.J. Ross scored the bout 114-114 a draw. This is the same judge C.J. Ross who scored 115-113 for Timothy Bradley over Manny Pacquiao in the 2012 worst decision of the year. Judge Ross needs to be suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission as her scorecard was absolutely horrific. Even Floyd looked around the ring in dismay, smelling perhaps a possible robbery by Canelo. Indeed, a number of scorecards on the card raised big questions, not just Floyd versus Canelo.
The Mexicans did not deserve an even scorecard, or even a round for Canelo’s dismal performance. Even famed American bank robber Willie Sutton could not have committed a robbery to the extent judge C.J. Ross did. Sutton said he robbed banks “Because that’s where the money is.” Sutton also said he robbed banks “because I enjoyed it. I loved it.”
Mayweather, now 45-0, 26 knockouts, Las Vegas, Nevada, looked like a man beating on an inflated clown while riding around the ring on horse. Alvarez, now 42-1-1, 30 knockouts, Juanacatlan, Jalisco, Mexico, was probably a year or two early to step into the ring with Floyd, though he did not have have the smarts to outsmart Floyd in the mental aspect of the game on Saturday night, or at any point in the future. Floyd, who weighed and showed up a day later still at 152 pounds, was so agile on his feet at 152 pounds it was hard to keep up with his movement for most of the 12 rounder. And if Alvarez was the best challenge out there, the rest will not be much better, so the bookies thirsting for Floyd’s blood will forever be disappointed if Alvarez is any degree of measure for the future.
Result: Floyd Mayweather Jr. Win Majority Decision 12 Saul Canelo Alvarez
Scoring: 116-112, 116-112 Mayweather. Judge C.J. Ross saw the bout 114-114 a draw.
Referee: Kenny Bayless. There were no knockdowns during the 12 round bout.
Mayweather wins the WBC and WBA World Light Middleweight titles
In the undercard, Danny Garcia closed the right eye of Matthyse in the seventh round, and got credited with a knockdown of Matthysse in the eleventh round with a right and left hook combination, to retain the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association World Light Welterweight titles by unanimous 12 round decision. Garcia lost a point for low blows in the twelfth round. Matthysse landed a number of his patented power shots, but Garcia shook them off. Garcia was landing combinations and outworking Matthysse all night, and Matthysse was only landing single shots. Perhaps Garcia, the 140 pound champ, could challenge Floyd now at a catchweight of 147 or something like that. He’s qualified.
In the Showtime post fight interview, Alvarez explained “He (Floyd) is a great fighter. I was trying to catch him. The 15 pounds extra weight I came into the ring with for power were negated today because I couldn’t catch him. His punches were catching my gloves, he never really hit me. He’s a great fighter, he was a very intelligent fighter. I just couldn’t catch him. I’ll have to move on now and prepare for my next fight.”
Alvarez, in the end, fell into the same trap that Daniel Santos fell into when he lost his light middleweight title to Yuri Foreman by eating 28 pounds after the weigh in. Foreman landed pinpoint jabs moving side to side, and a foot heavy Santos could not chase him. Santos, disheartened by the loss, never fought again. Foreman, currently in the midst of a comeback, could be a longshot title defense opponent for Floyd.
Ishe Smith also lost his International Boxing Federation World Light Middleweight title to Carlos Molina in a terrible 12 round split decision. Smith dominating the punch count in terms of punches landed in what turned out to be a most quiet technical war fought in center ring. Smith, a Floyd Mayweather Promotions fighter, was not a candidate to fight Floyd. So perhaps Floyd will fight Molina next, but it’s hard to tell what’s Floyd’s next move will be. All that is known is Floyd has stated he wants to fight in May and September of 2014. For a few million dollars, available opponents are already on Floyd’s waiting list, and who can blame them?
Also on the televised portion of the undercard, Mexican welterweight Pablo Cesar Cano escaped with a 10 round split decision win in ten rounds of Britain’s Ashley Theophane. Cano appeared to win at least seven of the ten rounds, so the split decision appeared unjustified when Cano was so far ahead.
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