Mayweather had stated he wanted to fight Alvarez only at 147 pounds, and Alvarez stated that 154 pounds was as low as he could go. It was posturing, of course, as now Mayweather is coming off a dismantling of Robert Guerrero and Alvarez has his own win over Austin Trout. It's a matchup made in pay-per-view heaven, as well, with Alvarez being the fresh-faced Mexican fighter with a burgeoning fan base and Mayweather being the most bankable fighter in combat sports right now.
It's something that Mayweather can “underperform” at the box office in that regard and still clear a million buys, from what sources have said. Alvarez makes the most sense in that regard, as well.
Showtime should be looking at 1.5 million buys (at a minimum) based on Mayweather's established audience, and the perception of what Alvarez should bring to the table, in what should be the biggest fight of 2013. People are already discussing that this could break Mayweather's record against Oscar De La Hoya.
Between the hyperbole and the bare minimum Mayweather brings to the table, we're looking at a reality of a ma**ive success. How big will be a good indicator of Alvarez's true stardom at this point. He has yet to be the main point of a PPV but has drawn enough numbers on Showtime that we think he can add something substantial to the equation.
It was the best possible option for Mayweather, of course, as his list of opponents was either a retread he had beaten before (Juan Manuel Marquez, among others) or the usual fantasy matchup with Manny Pacquiao that fans still clamor for but won't get. Mayweather has beaten nearly everyone else that matters, as well, and outside of Timothy Bradley there aren't a whole lot of options for him in the way of new matchups.
Mayweather may be known for not fighting all that often, but of all the guys who would be suitable matchups for him there aren't a whole lot of fresh faces. There doesn't seem to be interest on either party for a Pacquiao fight, either, and Alvarez is seen as potentially the next big boxing superstar.
In every way it's a super fight except one: competitiveness.