At just 22, Alvarez is noted as the main challenger to Mayweather’s crown, with Richard Schaefer keen on setting up the clash, possibly at 154lbs with the coveted WBC title held by the unbeaten youngster at stake.
It’s been no secret that GBP have attempted to make the fight unsuccessfully for the past twelve months and looking at the current scene at 147-154, the event does seem to be the most financially viable for the short-term.
Mayweather has taken apart most of the big names around both divisions in recent times and with Manny Pacquiao out of contention, Alvarez is having to step up to the plate despite his tender years.
Negotiations are said to be at a very early stage, but saying that, Team Alvarez have already lined-up Miguel Cotto as a back-up if Mayweather decides against a move back up to light-middleweight.
‘Money’ had hinted upon his release from prison that he would be remaining at welterweight for the foreseeable future, which now seems to be the biggest stumbling block between an agreement from both sides to meet in the fall.
My bet is that Mayweather will not move up the divisions again on the back of his gruelling fight with Cotto in May last year, which may well kill the fight as a weight-drained Alvarez would not be entertained by any as a worthy adversary to the pound for pound best.
That would leave the American to pick the bones of the rest of his current division, with a unification bout the likely candidate. If so, that brings into play IBF title holder Devon Alexander and the winner of Paulie Malignaggi v Adrien Broner in June as WBO champion Timothy Bradley is currently off limits.
Alexander had been initially announced in February as Mayweather’s preferred choice and with Malignaggi v Broner all set for June 22, the time constraints would point to a Mayweather v Alexander two-belt battle.
Question marks over Alexander as a viable opponent could be out-weighed by what would be an all-American encounter between two world champions and would seemingly save Mayweather from another dreaded fight at the limit his body struggles to reach.
Briton Lee Purdy currently stands in the way of what would be a dream chance for two-weight world champion Alexander, who can afford no mistakes when the pair square-off at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City this Saturday night.
