Floyd Mayweather agrees to fight Saul Alvarez

FLOYD Mayweather has confirmed he will put his unbeaten record on the line in a light-middleweight unification world title fight against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in Las Vegas later this year.

Mayweather, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet, moved to 44 wins from as many fights after a comfortable points triumph over Robert Guerrero for the WBC welterweight title earlier this month. A bout with Mexican Alvarez, who is also undefeated from 43 contests, has been steadily building momentum and Mayweather confirmed he will challenge the Mexican WBC and WBA light-middleweight champion on his official Twitter account. “I chose my opponent for 14 September and it’s Canelo Alvarez. I’m giving the fans what they want. It will be at the MGM Grand,” Mayweather said.

Several media outlets in the United States have reported the bout will be at a catchweight of 152lb – two pounds below the light middleweight limit – but Alvarez will still put his titles on the line as will Mayweather, who remains the WBA’s ‘super’ champion after outpointing Miguel Cotto last year.

It will be the 36-year-old Mayweather’s second fight on Showtime after agreeing a 30-month deal with the television network for six bouts.

Alvarez (42-0-1, with 30 knockout wins) is arguably Mayweather’s toughest test to date.