On paper, the September 13 fight between Floyd "Money" Mayweather and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is arguably the best and biggest fight of the year. You have the "ever-so-slightly-past-his-prime" Mayweather putting his "0" on the line against the bigger, stronger and younger titlist Alvarez. 
It has all the makings of a "fight of the year" candidate, and poses "Money" with the biggest test of his career, especially considering that he's no longer the spring chicken who danced, pranced and swatted around the late Diego "Chico" Corrales.
Or so they say.
When I broke down this fight in greater detail, based largely on these criteria, Saul Alvarez only had clear advantages in two categories–physical strength and punching power. And he will have the "home-ring" advantage, fighting in front of a hugely-partisan crowd in Las Vegas, Nevada on the Saturday before Mexican Independence Day.
These advantages are nothing to scoff at, but when compared to the trinity of competition, defense, and speed that Mayweather has in his corner, I think that Alvarez and his handlers have just written a check that they won't be able to cash.
Although Mayweather has not fought the most competitive stock of boxers in recent years, no one can deny his in-ring credentials, especially his domination of the aforementioned Corrales several years ago. For my money, that's Mayweather's best win, and I have a sneaky suspicion that his fight against Alvarez will bear a striking resemblance to that one in terms of dominance (save the knockdowns).
In terms of speed of foot and hand, Mayweather has the advantage by a lot, even at his advanced age (36). The same can be said for defense, where Floyd knows no equal in this generation.
Alverez did show some flashes of boxing brilliance in his last fight against Austin Trout, but I'd still have to give the decided edge in ring generalship to Mayweather. He can fight inside and outside, equally well. I'd also have to give a slight advantage in the chin department to Alvarez, but I really don't know how good his beard is based on his somewhat mediocre competition. And I doubt Mayweather's fists will be the necessary test.
And last but not least, I give the nod to Mayweather in terms of conditioning since I have never seen him get tired in 46 professional fights. It's not to discount Alvarez's youth and exuberance, but those same qualities, often cause him to have to catch his breath more often than he'd like to.
On Saturday, September 13, "Canelo" Alvarez won't be able to catch his breath when he squares off against the surgical "Money" Mayweather. As usual, Mayweather's defense, ring generalship, and speed will carry the day, leading to a unanimous decision victory over the ready, willing but unable Alverez. Haven't we seen this story before?
