Golden Boy Promotions has narrowed the choice on potential opponents for Floyd Mayweather’s next fight. Mercifully, it will not be Mathew Hatton, the lesser Hatton brother. Despite rumors to the contrary Richard Schaefer told ESPN.COM, “There is absolutely no truth to the rumors about Matthew Hatton. I can’t tell you for sure who Floyd will fight, but I can tell you for sure it won’t be Matthew Hatton.”
So let’s run through the list of names they have mentioned and see where we stand. I’ll rate each opponent on a scale of one to ten, with ten being Pacquiao.
Paulie Malignaggi: The light-punching Malignaggi is coming off an impressive performance against Juan Diaz. He looked sharp and in control. Juan Diaz, however, is a lightweight, and Malignaggi a junior welter. Floyd has been heavily criticized for taking on smaller opponents, and this would be no exception.
As for the fight itself, Malignaggi fights like a poor-mans version of the worst of Mayweather. He has zero power and his boxing skills are several levels below Mayweather’s. In his two biggest fights he was not competitive against either Ricky Hatton or Miguel Cotto. He doesn’t even have a puncher’s chance. He does at least have some fans and is somewhat recognizable, moreso for his persona than his fighting, but still.
Risk (chance of losing): 1 Reward (public interest): 3 Legacy (respect from boxing fans): 1
Nate Campbell: Campbell was a well-respected lightweight beltholder until missing weight and being forced to move up to junior welterweight. His most notable win was a decision victory over Juan Diaz.
In his last fight, against Tim Bradley, he quit in the third round after an accidental headbutt. It was ruled a no contest. He had clearly lost the first two rounds and looked old against the younger champion. Campbell is old, 37, and his best days seem to be behind him. He was never an elite fighter, and doesn’t have the power to trouble Mayweather. I can’t imagine he will be the choice.
Risk: 1 Reward: 1 Legacy: 1
Timothy Bradley: Bradley is an interesting fighter and it’s a fight I would like to see. He is a young champion with a string of impressive victories and impressive physical skills. I initially doubted him, but he has proven himself to be the class at light welterweight.
Again, that problem. Bradley is the smaller man, it’s not debatable, but at least he is at his peak and possesses formidable physical attributes. Unfortunately, he has built his career on Showtime, and has limited name recognition outside of the most ardent of boxing fans. It’s also unclear if Showtime would allow him to take this fight.
Risk: 4 Reward: 2 Legacy: 5
Kermit Cintron: Cintron has had a strange and mercurial career. Thought to be a hot prospect he was ground into bits by Antonio Margarito. Not once, but twice. They were the type of unmanning, comprehensive losses that are hard to come back from. Cintron tried to move on by fighting Sergio Martinez for the junior middleweight title. In a truly odd fight Cintron was knocked out, but the referee ruled it was a headbutt and allowed it to continue. The judges then somehow scored the fight a draw, one of the worst decisions in recent years.
On the verge of becoming an opponent, Cintron salvaged his career with a decision win over junior middleweight prospect Alfredo Angulo. Cintron doesn’t have the skills to trouble Mayweather, but he is a big man and has power; though he hasn’t shown it against his better opposition.
Risk: 3 Reward: 3 Legacy: 4
As reference I would consider Pacquiao-Clottey:
Risk: 5 Reward: 3 Legacy: 5
I would prefer to see Bradley, but I think given his lack of recognition and status as a Showtime fighter that is doubtful. I suppose Cintron is the next best choice, but they’re all bitter pills.
I hope sense will prevail and Mayweather will push the fight back a month to face the winner of Mosley-Berto, but I thought sense would prevail too many times before to believe that will happen.
