SAUL TRAIN

WHEN Floyd Mayweather outboxed Saul “Canelo” Alvarez for every one of the 12 rounds they shared back in 2013, the lesson in timing he taught the Mexican was about more than just punches landed.

In beating into Canelo a part of him, Mayweather revealed to the Mexican the importance of timing fights – when and when not to take them – and the importance, moreover, of becoming so powerful within your sport that the sport has no option but to run according to the time showing on your watch.

Essentially, Mayweather taught him the art of control, both in the ring and beyond, and now Canelo, having that night played bull to Mayweather’s matador, has switched roles to enjoy the same luxuries his master once enjoyed. As matador, he waits for others to do the softening up and the reconnaissance missions on his behalf, then delivers the coup de grâce with the bull weakened and the timing right. As matador, he is celebrated like a hero, regardless of his transgressions, with trumpets heralding his arrival and rivals begging to make his acquaintance.

It’s not a rigged game, just one with odds stacked in his favour. For if you fight Canelo