would make myself out to be the back end of a donkey if I were to suggest that Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr., to use the current expression, ?man up.?
You can?t say something like that about or to a fighter considered best around, pound for pound, and who didn?t have to burn on all cylinders to handle Oscar DeLaHoya and then went out and beat on Ricky Hatton like he was a snare drum.
But I do, I will, I hereby charge that PBF, who turns age 31 on Feb. 24, start really thinking about his ring legacy. I suggest that it is time that Money May, turn on his Macho May side again and meet the only challenge that matters in 2008, that of also undefeated Miguel Angel Cotto.
If you recall those old ads that asked ?what becomes a legend most,? you will get my drift herein, pilgrims. Money May is a persona that is totally played out, edging beyond boring and a ghetto stereotype I think that should be left in the past. But, if Floyd insists, then we must insist on Money May and Macho May having a heeart to heart and “fancying the job” against Cotto now.
Here are Michael Marley?s Top Reasons Why Macho May MUST fight the Boricua Banger this year
An intelligent argument can be made that the bodypunching, straight ahead steam engine from Caguas can defeat PBF. The contrast in styles is sharp and I don?t think the five-inch reach difference would mean much if?and I know this is a BIG IF?Cotto can bull his way inside and fight effectively in ways that not so menacing midget Hatton could not. Although PBF and Cotto would have backers from all races, there is a soul and salsa rhythm to this fight which could make it explode on PPV. Duran-Leonard I, anyone? Not that I am comparing PBF to Azucar Ray or Cotto to Cholo?not yet, anyway. A later example would be the emotions stirred by BHop and Tito Trinidad. If someone is going to steer clear of this natural matchup, then let it be that old Brooklyn Dodger, Uncle Bob Arum. It?s to Top Rank?s commercial advantage to wait another year before looking to put Cotto in with PBF so expect a year-long filibuster with extra bluster from Arum?which is where Mark Taffet and the HBO suits come in and apply their mercantile muscle to make this Lollapalooza of the 147-pounders happen. Legacy. Does Floyd want his welterweight reign to look as cheesy as his domination of the junior welterweights when?and I don?t blame him for it?he toyed with DeMarcus Corley, Henry Bruseles and a shotski Arturo Gatti? Bragging on that would be like Barack Obama boasting about he trounced Dennis Kucinich in New Hampshire. (Not to get off-track but do you think Kucinich could stay a few rounds with Hatton?) Williams will wait. The Al Haymon factor is a distraction as Uncle Al is all about the Benjamins. I think 2009, maybe around June, will be a fine time for his welterweight cash cows, Paul Williams and Macho May, to collide?that is, unless Cotto can derail the Grand Rapids Express. We can all agree that Williams is too little known to the general public at this point The Fitty KOs Angle. Taffet and his marketeers will love this one. Both FJM and MAC have 25 knockouts to their credit. Cue Fitty Himself to appear and rap in the PPV spots. Besides, everyone knows Floyd and Fitty went to different schools together. Old School Rules. PBF doesn?t like to admit it but, mainly due to the fact that he was born into boxing (a family business if you didn?t know), but he?s got a lot of Old School ways. And Old School Ways demand that to get the big shot you must first earn the big shot. Can anyone debate that Cotto did not punch his ticket into the Big PPV Specatcular by virtue of his dismantling of Zab Judah and his clear but close points victory over The Man Who Twice Shot Liberty Valance (Sugar Shane Mosley). The gunslinger Shane took down twice, of course, later became his nominal Golden Boy boss. This is not a cockamamie Arum-hyperama ?everyone runs from Antonio Margarito? smoke screen job. That was blown up by some children on various web sites who tried to make it appear that Money May was scared?we all know Money May?s only fear is not stacking his cash high enough. Ballparks and arenas equal more smoke. When it happens, Cotto-Mayweather will wind up at the MGM Grand or the Mandalay Bay. Please ignore any blather about other sites. This bout could be co-promoted by Top Rank and a real Mayweather Promotions company. A perfect debut event for a real, structured PBF promotional concern if there is ever to be one. As it stands now, Money May?s promotional firm seems to be a subsidiary or a tiny branch office of Golden Boy. Who knows, maybe that is all Uncle Al and PBF had in mind from Jump Street. GBP will get along fine with or without its one-fighter affiliate. Bonus Round: In 2008, I like Mayweather to dazzle Cotto and win by decision. Go ahead to 2009 and 2010, if Mayweather is even still in combat, and Cotto, just 27 now, figures to be a much more difficult task. Even Floyd’s rims won’t spin full-speed forever Bottom Line: Leonard fought Duran, Hearns and Hagler. Leonard delayed some opponents but never ducked anyone. So which side of Floyd?s boxing persona will win out?
It says here that Money May and Macho May can agree that Cotto is the most dangerous, most attractive and most natural 147-pound opponent on Planet Mayweather.
It?s Money May?s world, baby. We just live in it. But if he ducks and dodges Cotto in 2008, they will never again call him Macho May.
