By Ben Jacobs

The opening bout on the Mayweather-Canelo SHOWTIME PPV will be a 10-round welterweight showdown between Mexico's Pablo Cesar "El Demoledor" Cano and England's Ashley "Treasure" Theophane, the most recent addition to Mayweather Promotions. Mayweather-Canelo takes place on September 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Theophane (33-5-1, 10KOs) is ready for his big opportunity and gave his thoughts on the fight with Cano (26-3-1, 20 KOs).

BoxingScene.com: How happy are you to be featuring on the card for what will be the biggest fight of the year?

I am very happy to be on the Floyd Mayweather against Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez card. It is a mega event and is the biggest boxing show of the year and possibly the last thirty years. Three world title fights and Britain's Ashley Theophane vs Mexico's Pablo Cano. It is a great show!

BoxingScene.com: What do you make of your opponent Pablo Cesar Cano?

He can box and fight. He is the best fighter on paper that I will be fighting in over three years. He has only lost to world champions but he has also never beaten the opposition that I have beaten. He always gives a good account of himself but always falls short.

I respect him but his power is questionable as he has knocked out twenty of his twenty six victories but you have to look at who did he knock out. I've never heard of them. It will be a great fight. Floyd and Leonard have chosen me for a reason to open the PPV card.

BoxingScene.com: Were you surprised he lost to Shane Mosley?

No! Shane has only lost to Floyd Mayweather, Saúl Álvarez and Manny Pacquiao in recent years. That's three of the best fighters in recent times. Cano is not in that league. Shane is in great shape for 41-years-old and I'm sure he'll get another world title fight again.

BoxingScene.com:  Do you think the fact that you will be fighting a top quality opponent will mean we will see the best out of you?  You have stated in the past that you struggled to get up for some domestic fights.

It doesn't matter what I say. My record suggests that. I spar and train with the world's best. I have since 2005 so that's the level I operate at. Floyd Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe didn't sign me because I'm pretty. They signed me because I can fight and they want to give me an opportunity that I've never had before and I'm thankful to them.

BoxingScene.com: How did the offer to join Mayweather Promotions officially happen?

Floyd told me he'd get me a fight and he's a man of his word.

BoxingScene.com: Did you have offers from other promoters in the UK?

I've been offered fights in the UK and I was offered a promotional deal in New York but I wanted to be a part of Mayweather Promotions so I kept working until that dream became reality.

BoxingScene.com: Will you be basing yourself in the US permanently?

Only time will tell.

BoxingScene.com:  Are you concerned about your inactivity in the ring, or does the fact that you've been sparring with top class fighters make that not so much of an issue?

Inactivity?  I've had 39 fights in ten years. By fight time it would have been nine months since I fought. Floyd fights once a year and puts on master class performances. I've been sparring the world's best since March. Fighters like Shawn Porter, Vernon Paris, Celestino Caballero, Mickey Bey, Daquan Arnett, Arash Usmanee, Ishe Smith and Floyd Mayweather. That kind of sparring in a space of six months is incredible work. I'm sparring better fighters than my opponent. Ring rust will not be an issue.

BoxingScene.com: Do you think Canelo can cause Floyd problems?

Canelo will not be an issue for Floyd. It will be a shutout. I expect Floyd to win every round.

BoxingScene.com: How do you see Lucas Matthysse vs Danny García going?  You fought García and some observers felt you won that fight.

Danny García himself stated he thought I won the fight, even though I doubt he'd admit that now. I think Lucas will knock him out but if Danny can take Lucas's power and box him he could win by decision. It will be a great fight whoever wins.