What can you say about Floyd Mayweather’s performance on Saturday night that hasn?t already been said? Of course it was inevitable that haters, particularly those who see Manny Pacquiao as the number 1 would find a way to discredit Floyd?s dominance. The chosen excuse this time is that Shane Mosley was over the hill. To a certain extent that?s true, Shane is not what he once was but he is far from finished. I bet Shane could beat anybody outside the top 3 at welterweight.
Mosley was definitely up for this fight, looked in shape and half of the boxing world predicted him to win this one. Everyone in boxing has opinions but I really get confused when I hear Pacquiao fans acting like Floyd beating Shane wasn?t that impressive but Manny beating Oscar was? Not at all. Coming into this fight Shane was coming off a much better run of form than De La Hoya when him and the Pacman got it on.
Anyway, after the fight, questions turned to the possibility of the bout the world wants to see Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. By far the most anticipated fight in at the least the recent history of boxing possibly all time. Really on the Pound for Pound rankings there is Floyd and Manny then nobody else really counts; they are the superstars of boxing, this fight is so big that even people who don?t normally follow boxing want to see it. It?s huge.
Boxing experts say that too much money is on the table for this fight not to happen, we thought that at the start of the year and it fell through. I honestly believe this fight will not happen. Both guys are too stubborn, Floyd certainly will not give in to the full random blood testing right up to the fight and Manny will not let Floyd be his ‘boss” or ?weaken? him by forcing him to take blood days before the bout. Also add in there the mutual dislike between the two promotional camps Golden Boy and Top Rank and this fight looks a long way off.
Some people are very dramatic, I have read articles this week along the lines of ?neither of these two fighters have anywhere else to go? or ?if this fight doesn?t happen it will kill boxing.? I totally disagree, although it is a huge fight, without it boxing would carry on and Floyd Mayweather at least has other options should a Pacquiao fight fall through. I made a list?
Paul Williams, The most avoided fighter in boxing, can fight at anything from welterweight to middleweight and can bang. He is a real threat and a good challenge for Floyd. I am sure Floyd would have no problem moving up to 154 to fight him and it would be interesting. Assuming of course Williams beats Cintron on Saturday.
Sergio Martinez, Nearly crowned WBC middleweight champion after cleverly out boxing Kelly Pavlik. This would be a very interesting fight and when Floyd was asked about his possibility post fight he said it was very possible. 160 does seem big for Floyd but Martinez is not the tallest so I think Mayweather could do it, I also think he would win.
Andre Berto, I am under no illusion, I think Floyd Mayweather would ultimately give Berto a lesson in boxing. However, Berto is strong, young, quick and has heart. And above all it would be nice to see him get the shot after he had to pull out of the Mosley fight due to what happened in Haiti.
Timothy Bradley, I mean why not? Bradley has looked superb recently, he is unbeaten. Very strong and has a huge heart, I am sure he would have no problems putting a couple of extra pounds and I know this was a fight Bradley wanted when Mayweather – Pacquiao broke down on January.
Yuri Foreman/Miguel Cotto winner, long shot. This would be more interesting if Foreman won the fight. The way Cotto fights would fall into Floyd’s hand but Foreman is tall and rangy. Could be a challenge for Floyd.
Ultimately, I would of course like to see Pacquiao fight Mayweather but my point is that if it does fall through which is not unlikely, boxing will go on and interesting fights are still out there for Mayweather.
