( CNN ) -- `` Unbelievable '' and an `` explosion '' is how Floyd Mayweather is selling his tangle with Saul 'Canelo ' Alvarez in Las Vegas . Whether Mayweather 's ambitious billing of the bout will transpire remains to be seen , but what is not in doubt is the fight will generate the biggest purse in boxing history -- $ 41.5 million for Mayweather , already one of the world 's highest-paid athletes . The man regularly described as the best pound-for-pound fighter will earn even more cash Saturday in the sport 's showbiz home by claiming a share of pay-per-view takings . `` This fight is truly unbelievable , '' Mayweather , who briefly unseated Tiger Woods as Forbes ' best-paid athlete , in 2012 , told CNN . `` Man , this is all excitement . Canelo is young , strong , dedicated to his craft . I 'm a legend in the sport . `` Canelo wants that No . 1 spot . Myself , I want to remain at the top . So it 'll be an explosion . '' Alvarez , promoted by one of Mayweather 's past arch-rivals , Oscar De La Hoya , is the latest challenger to attempt to end the 36-year-old 's unblemished record . De La Hoya wo n't be at the MGM Grand supporting his charge , though , having entered rehab this week . Following Mayweather 's defeat of Robert Guerrero in May -- the former 's first fight after spending two months in jail in connection with an incident of domestic violence -- he improved to 44-0 . De La Hoya , Ricky Hatton , Arturo Gatti and Miguel Cotto are among those who have been unable to down the technically proficient American , while a Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao blockbuster has yet to materialize . But Alvarez comes in undefeated , too , compiling a record of 42 victories and a draw . The 23-year-old has registered more knockouts than Mayweather , 30 to 26 , although the Mexican 's foes are generally considered inferior . `` Canelo is a good boxer , '' Mayweather said . `` He 's strong , he 's a good puncher . He 's done things right to be undefeated at such a young age . `` But I think it 's going to be very , very difficult for him come Saturday . '' Alvarez is n't fazed , even if he is expected to weigh in at 152 pounds , a fraction lighter than usual . `` I do n't care about his record , '' Alvarez was quoted as saying by Britain 's Guardian newspaper . `` I 'm not coming to make a good fight , I 'm coming to win . `` When you fight Floyd you have to be ready for every aspect of the fight . You have to be able to adjust mentally as well as physically . `` I have to be very smart and ready to change my plan at any time . You 'll see how I do it . You 'll see how I beat him . I 'm calm and I 'm just ready to fight . '' If things go as planned , Mayweather will keep on winning . He is a 1/3 favorite with British bookmaker William Hill . When asked what his place in boxing history was , the five-division world champion was n't about to turn humble . `` Right now they call me 'TBE . ' That 's 'the best ever , ' '' he said . `` The only thing I have to keep on doing is beating these young lions , keep beating the fighters they put in front of me and hopefully I 'll go down as the best . ''
Floyd Patterson faces Canelo Alvarez on HBO in a battle of undefeated fighters . Patterson is 44 - 0 with 26 knockouts and Alvarez is 42 - 0 - 1 with 30 knockouts . Mayweather is expected to receive $ 41.5 million , the biggest payday in the sport 's history . Oscar De La Cruz , Alvarez 's promoter , will be absent in Las Vegas as he entered rehab .