Floyd Mayweather Jr, who is fighting twice in the same calendar year for the first time since 2007, weighed in at 1.5 pounds (0.68kg) lighter than Mexican star Saul Alvarez on Friday.
The boisterous crowd of about 12,000 that squeezed into the MGM arena cheered loudly when Alvarez tipped the scales right on the catch weight of 152 pounds (68.9kg) one day ahead of their 12-round world title bout for the 154-pound (69.9kg) title held Alvarez.
The world’s highest-paid athlete, Mayweather, was to his perfect record on the line when he squared off against Alvarez in a showdown between the two undefeated boxers last night.
Photo: AFP
The 36-year-old Mayweather weighed in at 150.5 pounds (68.3kg) — just under the mutually decided catch weight of 152 pounds.
Alvarez (42-0-1) has not weighed 152 or less for a fight since 2011, while Mayweather has fought above 147 just twice — for the Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Cotto wins.
Alvarez said on Wednesday he was sparring at 155 pounds (70.3kg), but feels comfortable moving down in weight to fight Mayweather.
Last night’s fight has generated huge interest, especially in Mexico, where the 23-year-old Alvarez is considered one of their biggest sporting heroes.
The fight with Alvarez is the second in Mayweather’s six-bout, 30-month contract with US cable network Showtime that could pay him more than US$200 million.
After Mayweather beat Robert Guerrero in May, he said he wanted to fight again this month.
Mayweather’s guaranteed purse for the Alvarez fight is reported to be a record US$41 million, which would surpass the previous record of US$32 million he received for fighting Guerrero.
Organizers are also hoping that this fight will eclipse 2 million pay-per-view sales. Mayweather will also get a cut of the pay-per-view money on top of his purse.
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