Mayweather: I'm The A-Side, My PPVs Built Canelo's Name

By Edward Chaykovsky

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (44-0, 26KOs) feels partially responsible for the growing popularity of WBC/WBA 154-pound champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (42-0-1, 30KOs). In his April victory over Austin Trout, Canelo brought 40,000 fans to the Alamodome in Texas. On September 14, he faces Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Canelo has been showcased on at least three major pay-per-view events headlined by Mayweather. Mayweather views it as a smart strategy by Canelo's team, and Golden Boy Promotions, to place the Mexican star in those key positions.

Mayweather rejects the idea that Canelo has a bigger fan base or that anyone should consider the young Mexican as the more popular fighter.

"I think it was a brilliant game plan to keep putting Canelo on my undercards so he could build himself a fan base and then ultimately face myself and then we come together and make an exciting fight for the fans. Of course [I believe that I am partially responsible for his popularity], he fought on a lot of my undercards. He was able to build his name. He always fought in the pre-main event. He hasn't had a chance to go on pay-per-view by himself yet, so once again he's the B-side and I'm the A-side," Mayweather said.