Mayweather vs. Guerrero

Marv G. (Charlotte, NC): Despite the layoff, time in jail, and partying, I really thought Mayweather looked incredible. Do you think Guerrero was just a joke? Or do you think Floyd is really that good?

Vivek W. (ESB): We’ve seen quite a few fighters around the sport enter the ring with far less time off and the effects the layoff is typically very much pronounced. I don’t care who you are and what your profession is, you’d be hard-pressed to see anyone take that amount of time off and still be able to execute at such a high level. I saw a few things that let me know Mayweather isn’t totally who he used to be. But in the end, what I saw most is that he doesn’t have to be. Michael Jordan at 90% was still heads above everyone across from him. In the case of Floyd Mayweather, I don’t think things are any different.

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(Photo credit: Naoki Fakuda) My pre-fight ‘just the facts’ article made reference to a quicker, sharper, Money Mayweather with the return of good legs which were rested and not overtrained. Rest and pace were the recipe of success for the 36 year old. Following the Rigondeaux and Canelo fights where both men won using ‘boxing skill’, Mayweather had to put on a show to rival or exceed both men’s performances and that he did. Floyd Sr. working ‘Lil’ Floyd’s corner as chief 2nd for the 1st time in 13 years, did his part strategizing and giving good corner instructions between rounds.

Floyd fought toe-to-toe for spells and then used his legs for better ring generalship, lateral movement and advantage when needed. He beat Guerrero to the punch throughout the fight and made the Gilroy Ca., native MISS 80% of his punches. Defense that was ‘so so’ for the Cotto fight was ‘great’ for the ‘May Day’ main event. Floyd’s offensive output was conservative but most dominant and effective in rounds 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11; especially rounds 8 and 11.

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So much for Floyd Mayweather Junior slowing down even a little due to age/inactivity/jail time. “Money May” may be 36-years-old now and he may have fought just four times in the last three years, but, as he showed last night in totally dominating a tough but outclassed Robert Guerrero, Mayweather is as great as ever. The two months in jail proved to be totally irrelevant, and any suggestions Guerrero or anyone else might have made about Floyd having slowed down a little were blown clean out of the water.

In short, Mayweather made it look easy last night. Looking as razor-sharp as ever, his right hand especially, “Money” made “The Ghost” look like a somewhat clumsy amateur on occasion. The problem, once again, was Mayweather won so easily the fight became boring for many fans; some of them leaving The MGM Grand before the fight ended. These people may be guilty of failing to appreciate a master at work, but fans want entertainment and, bottom line, there is no fighter out there capable of making Mayweather work hard enough for a thrilling, competitive fight to break out. Floyd is simply head and shoulders above everyone else at 147 and 154-pounds. It might be that Mayweather will have to take on a big name from the talent-rich 140-pound weight class soon.

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(Photo credit: Naoki Fakuda) Almost without exception, the boxing experts pick Mayweather to win. Most say it will be by UD. That’s because they don’t see Mayweather getting reckless and take any unnecessary chances to win by kayo. They go right down the line and are forced to pick Little Money. Over the years Mayweather, Jr. has had a chance to grow into the weight class, so he will be stronger and more comfortable at the welterweight level.

He is used to fighting bigger men. This will be only the third time for Guerrero. There’s no argument when the experts go down the list of necessary skills and all the assets are on Mayweather’s side. He is faster. He is more skilled, both defensively and offensively. He is a great counter puncher. He can fight rough if he has to, using his elbows, and leverage to maneuver his man. He will take seize any moment of relaxation or careless Guerrero might provide.

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(Photo credit: Naoki Fakuda) By Joseph Herron: As the world awaits the highly publicized Mayweather/Guerrero clash for the WBC Welterweight Championship, undefeated Welterweight prospect Benjamin Whitaker of San Antonio, Texas, gives Eastsideboxing.com his expert opinion of what fight fans should expect to see from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, this evening.

“I know most fight fans and boxing writers are expecting to see the usual brand of Mayweather dominance in the ring, but I see a much more competitive fight playing out tonight in Las Vegas,” claims the highly touted, Alamo City prospect. “Both men will be coming into the ring with a very confident frame of mind, which always makes for an entertaining scrap.”

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Tonight, the world of boxing welcomes the return of P4P King, Floyd Mayweather. Another year away from the ring and a short incarceration stint will play their hand at leveraging what most consider to be sheer greatness. Whether or not the man across from him (Robert Guerrero) holds the key to exploit this possibility is another story. That question we can’t answer. What we can answer is the fact that between the calendar year of 2012 and current, something very interesting happened in the world of Boxing.

All the men who dominated the sport in close proximity to Mayweather saw things come to an abrupt end. Cotto, Pacquiao, Margarito, Williams, and Mosley were each ushered one by one to the doorstep of retirement. Some refuse to walk in, yet each clearly have one foot in, one foot out. Mayweather remains the last man standing of that golden era. Quickly, we take a look at the odds of him remaining that way beyond tonight:

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