Who should he fight? Who is he likely to fight? This is not about the most noteworthy competition; this about retiring with a 50-0 record?
?I?ve been the ring with everyone. I soundly beat Herrera; I whooped Pacquiao and Khan in sparring. Shawn Porter refused to step in the ring when he had the choice to fight me or Erick Bone with only one day notice. A lot of fighters have ducked me because I?m a serious threat to anyone.??Karim Mayfield
?If they say these guys were handpicked, they were handpicked to make $40 and $50 and $60 million, then you know what? Keep handpicking them. If they?re going to keep paying, keep handpicking them.??Floyd Mayweather
Floyd has a number of options all of which, by definition, are lucrative, and an announcement is possible as soon as the end of this week according to at least one source.
Andre Berto (30-3)
One hot and swirling rumor has it that he will fight Andre Berto, on CBS no less, on September 12, and then, assuming he wins, calls it a career at 49-0. However, the specter of Floyd Mayweather?s last fight being a free one for fans is nothing less than preposterous to wit: After he wins his 49th fight, he most likely will announce that he will go after Number 50 to break Rocky Marciano?s record, but this one will be on PPV and will yield another mountain of cash for the combatants. So who will be the lucky opponent who gets an early retirement package?
Possible Opponents for Number 50
Keith Thurman (26-0): While he no longer has the gravitas he once had based on his showing against Luis Collazo, Thurman?s showing in that fight just might whet Floyd?s appetite. The young Keith is undefeated and holds a world title, but he lacks the style, power or experience to beat Money. In short, he is perfect.
The winner of Saul ?Canelo? Alvarez (45-1-1) vs. Miguel Cotto (40-4): Floyd has wins over both, but the winner would bring fresh credentials into a rematch, not to mention extremely strong fan support. This would be a proud and dignified way for Floyd to go out, but it is also one paved with danger.
The winner of Danny Garcia (30-0) vs. Paulie Malignaggi (33-6): Garcia is starting to slip and if Pauley pulled off an upset, he could become an interesting possibility, albeit a distant one. If Garcia wins impressively, he gets into the mix aka sweepstakes.
Brandon Rios (33-2-1): If he somehow wins his next fight (against Kell Brook) like he won his last against Mike Alvarado could become the perfect foil for Mayweather. But winning against Brook is a very big ?if.?
Secondary?Even Unlikely?Opponents
Karim Mayfield (19-2): Everyone?s favorite sparring partner. He could be interchanged with Berto, but Berto is far better known and more fan-friendly.
Timothy Bradley (31-1-1): Too dangerous, though he is the most-recognized name on this list. There are promotional issues as well.
Amir Khan (31-3): His showing against an aroused Chris Algieri did little to improve his drawing power.
Kell Brook (35-0): A fight in the UK would be huge but not in the cards. Money lives in Las Vegas and works in Las Vegas. Moreover, Brook?s pitch for a bout against Mayweather via Eddie Hearn went up in smoke when the WBO stripped Floyd of his title and named Timothy Bradley the new champion.
Gennady Golovkin (33-0): Not a good idea though it would be bigger than Mayweather-Pacquiao. This is more about legacy than it is about money and GGG would pose a serious threat to Floyd?s legacy.
Jesse Vargas (26-1): No drawing power.
Sammy Vasquez Jr. (19-0): Compelling story but too unknown.
Shawn Porter (26-1-1): His showing against Broner did little for his viability.
Marcus Maidana (35-5): Twice is enough.
Erislandy Lara (21-2-2): Another very dangerous opponent; maybe too dangerous.
Manny Pacquiao rematch: First time shame on you.
Now then, a solid case could be made for Mayweather to fight Khan, Bradley or Brook, but the above analysis is not based on who he should fight. It?s based on who he is likely to fight.
This is not about the most noteworthy competition; this about retiring with a 50-0 record.
