The tension preceding Floyd Mayweather?s last fight was thick enough to cut with a knife. Speculation was rife as to who his next opponent would be. Names were floated. Pros and cons were discussed. There was even a fan poll, which Amir Khan presumably won, whereupon the results were ignored in favor of Marcos Maidana.
But the fight with Maidana turned out to be the most competitive Mayweather fight in years. Maidana didn?t do anything different than Maidana has always done. He was as relentless as ever. But Floyd, however elevated his gifts in the squared circle, has at the age of 37 slowed down. He may also have underestimated El Chino.
A very different scenario is playing out for his next fight on Sept. 13. There?s no social media stoking the fires and building the gate (at least not yet). There?s no fan poll to create the illusion of participating in another man?s destiny. This time it?s fairly cut and dry, or so it appears.
Speaking at the BET Awards in LA, Mayweather quashed the suspense that had been building since he decisioned Maidana in May.
?September 13, back to business,? he said matter-of-factly, ?Marcos Maidana versus Floyd Mayweather Part II.?
But that wasn?t all he said.
?Then in May, I?ll have a big surprise for you.?
What that ?big surprise? might be is anyone?s guess, but keeping ?em guessing is part of the game.
