Mayweather vs. Canelo Start Time: Key Info for Saturday Night's Fight

The day boxing fans have waited for has finally arrived. Floyd Mayweather will fight Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in a bout that could shake boxing to its core.

Mayweather (44-0, 26 KO) will take on Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KO) in a battle pitting the world's best boxer versus the sport's fastest rising star. Mayweather could cinch yet another notch in his belt with a victory, while Alvarez would become an instant phenomenon with a win.

ESPN's Dan Rafael sure seems excited. How about you? 

Here's what you need to know as fight night rapidly approaches.

When: Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9:00 p.m. ET

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nev.

Watch: Showtime Pay-Per-View

Tale of the Tape

Where Mayweather Stands

Boxing's pound-for-pound king enters the match favored, as usual. A panel of six ESPN boxing experts unanimously picked Mayweather to emerge victorious.

If he sticks to his game plan, Mayweather should live up to everyone's expectations of him and improve to 45-0.

The best way to survive Alvarez's wrath is to avoid his fists altogether. The best defender this generation has ever seen, Mayweather causes opponents to successfully snag their punches only 17 percent of the time. He must avoid damage in order to outlast Alvarez in a battle of attrition.

Although his opponent is 13 years younger, Mayweather possesses incredible endurance, and Alvarez is used to clocking out early with a knockout.

Lately, Mayweather has taken his opponents the distance, triumphing via decision in seven of his last nine bouts. He'll need to make it eight out of 10 in all likelihood to fend off Alvarez. 

Where Alvarez Stands

Mayweather represents by far the steepest challenge of Alvarez's career. Although the 23-year-old started young in Mexico, his lack of experience could come into play.

Alvarez recently topped Austin Trout to secure this monster fight, but Mayweather obviously resides at a level higher than anyone Canelo has encountered.

His stamina will be tested, which is why the young gun will seek a knockout victory that he has already achieved 30 times before. Easier said than done, of course.

Despite concerns over his ability to make the 152-pound catchweight, Alvarez weighed in at that exact amount. While he'll spend the hours building up to the fight regaining a few pounds, his drop in weight leaves one to wonder whether the power fighter can still forcefully dominate.

According to MaxBoxing.com's Steve Kim, trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas expressed some concern:

Prediction

Alvarez will push Mayweather to the limit and make a strong name for himself in the process, but it won't be enough to stop the champion. Mayweather will wear down Alvarez in the later rounds and clinch a unanimous victory by decision.

While the outcome will be predictable, the ride there will still be enjoyable.