Boxing: Floyd Mayweather Is Still The One

Floyd Mayweather remains undefeated. Photo credit Showtime

by Kendrick Johnson

Leading up to his clash with Mexican Superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, boxing’s pound for pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather told anyone who would listen September 14 would be easy work. For nearly all 16,000 in attendance, Mayweather’s latest masterpiece looked very easy as the “Money Man” rung up another victory while making a guaranteed $41.5 million.

 This is my fifth world championship fight to cover and second Mayweather fight this year, and it never gets old watching Mayweather win by decision in classic fashion. Canelo is a great champion and may eventually go down as Mexico’s greatest champion; he’s definitely light years away from being at the level Mayweather is currently.

 For the fight, Mayweather landed 232 of 505 punches (46 percent), according to CompuBox statistics, and Alvarez was limited to connecting on just 117 of 526 punches (22 percent).

 "Seventeen years, and I'm still going strong. I think had I pressed the attack earlier, I could have gotten the stoppage, but I am very happy with my performance," a happy Floyd Mayweather said after his latest victory.

Mayweather vs Alvarez

 Despite raising his game and making Mayweather go deep into his bag of tricks, a frustrated Canelo Alvarez was very honest and poignant with what happened between the ropes Saturday night.

 "No doubt he's a great fighter, a very intelligent fighter,'' Alvarez said.  "There was no solution for him.''

The fight likely will set the record for the richest event in boxing history and could challenge the all-time pay-per-view record of 2.44 million buys. Both of those records were set by Mayweather's 2007 win against Oscar De La Hoya. 

One would think this fact combined with Mayweather bringing his A-game against one of his toughest opponents to date would be the story. Unfortunately for the boxing world and boxing purists there is Judge C.J. Wilson, who witnessed something no one else in the MGM Garden witnessed. A ‘draw’.

 Judges Dave Moretti (116-112) and Craig Metcalfe (117-111) scored the fight in favor of Mayweather, while Judge C.J. Ross scored it an unconscionable 114-114 draw. She also is one of the two judges who gave Timothy Bradley Jr. a decision win against Manny Pacquiao in one of boxing's most controversial decisions in years.

 Mayweather took the high road when answering questions in his post-fight press conference by simply stating, “I'm not in control of the judges.  I'm a little in shock, but everything is a learning experience." An experience that Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer feels the Nevada State Athletic Commission should have already learned.

 "How that judge could be appointed after the decision of Bradley and Pacquiao is not a question I can answer," Schaefer said. "How can that happen? Is it going to happen again?"

 Despite the unexpected controversy, there a couple of untainted facts fans can take away from the bout.  First, two of the best fighters on the planet went toe-to-toe for 12 intense rounds of boxing action. Most importantly, the question hinted by the fight’s name was answered:  Who is The One? Mayweather answered the question himself:  He is ‘TBE’ – The Best Ever.  The One.

Kendrick Johnson is an independent sports television, radio, and print journalist. He can be reached at kendrick_e_johnson@yahoo.com or on Twitter @kendrickjohnso