Several different predictions have been issued for what the end result will be in the Floyd Mayweather (44-0) versus Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (42-0-1) fight on Saturday night, but placing a bet on any result other than this fight going the distance would be a mistake.
According to Bovada.lv, the line for the fight going the distance stands at -270 while the line for the fight not going the distance is +210.
While Alvarez has earned 30 knockouts in his career, five of his last eight bouts have ended in a decision. It's important to note that none of the fighters Alvarez has knocked throughout his tenure in the sport are in the same universe as Mayweather talent-wise.
Mayweather, who has 26 knockouts on his record, has become notorious for having his fights go the distance, which has led to detractors calling him a boring fighter. This often happens because Mayweather isn't all that aggressive and is instead a defensive fighter who enjoys counter-punching.
That kind of style isn't going to help Money knock many opponents out, and the proof is in the pudding. Seven of his last nine fights have gone the distance, with Mayweather's last knockout coming in 2011.
Considering he's facing an opponent with power he must respect, Mayweather won't go into a fight with Alvarez guns blazing.
Canelo is touted as the more powerful of the two, and while that may be true, Alvarez can sometimes fight in more of a defensive role somewhat similar to Mayweather. If both fighters choose the same approach in this showdown, that could create a stalemate with little chances for a premature stoppage.
Even if Canelo is aggressive with his ability to throw devastating combinations and thus attacks Mayweather early and often, Mayweather's speed makes the champ nearly impossible to hit. Not to mention getting more than a punch or two off at a time against Mayweather is a rarity, so stringing together fight-ending combos will be a tall order for Alvarez.
Most people who are picking Canelo to win this fight are guaranteeing a surprise and unprecedented knockout against Mayweather—which is far from likely. Obviously, Mayweather has never been knocked out or even tasted anything other than victory before, and his status as one of the greatest fighters in the history of boxing makes that prediction a stretch at best despite Alvarez's also-undefeated record on mostly smaller stages.
Supporters of Money are largely and realistically choosing a decision result with Mayweather coming out on top based on points.
No matter who you choose to win this fight, the styles of these fighters and their history in other fights proves that taking the bet on this fight going the distance is the best way to go.
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