11.06.08 – By Yero Moody: In part 1 of this article I believe I gave a clear overview of the possible reasons why Floyd Mayweather, Jr chose to retire. However, in hindsight I offer to you a third and very real possibility. Before I do that I want to absolutely clarify some points that a lot of Mayweather’s detractors have brought up as a reason for his sudden retirement..
The major reason given by his detractors is that Mayweather wants to avoid a showdown with the winner of the Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito showdown in July. That is ridiculous because as we all know he was due for a big payday in September for the rematch with Oscar De La Hoya. He could have waited to retire after that if that was the case. Why not collect another $20+ million, ride off into the sunset, and still avoid fighting the winner of Cotto vs. Margarito? Common sense dictates that that is not the case. “Money” Mayweather is not turning down that kind of money!
Another reason that was brought up was that he wanted to protect his undefeated record. To that, my response is; why not collect another $20+ million by defeating a man you’ve already beaten (De La Hoya) and then retire undefeated? Or, give Ricky Hatton the rematch he’s been asking for? Defeat him again, collect another $10-15 million, and then retire undefeated. Again, common sense dictates that that possiblity is equally ridiculous.
The last point many of his detractors have brought up is that Mayweather is retiring because he wants to avoid facing the best opponents possible. This is laughable and absolutely false! For anyone who is an avid follower of boxing knows that Mayweather has pursued fights with the best in every division he’s been at. Fighters like Acelino Freitas, Joel Casamayor and Kostya Tsyzu (before he was defeated by Hatton) were all targeted and all turned down offers from Bob Arum of Top Rank promotions. Now that Mayweather and Arum have parted ways all you hear is negative publicity from Arum. It was indeed Arum who turned down an offer from Mayweather to fight Miguel Cotto right after Mayweather defeated Aturro Gatti. Arum stated that “Cotto needed another 12-18 months before he’d be ready for Mayweather.” The time came and went and no offer from Arum. Mayweather also went after Shane Mosley before fighting Oscar De La Hoya and he turned down the offer.
The one fighter that is consistently being brought up as an opponent that Mayweather is “scared” of and has been avoiding is Antonio Margarito. An offer of $8 million was reportedly given to Mayweather to fight Margarito and Mayweather said no. However, Mayweather is not the only fighter who said no. De La Hoya and Shane Mosley were also reported to have said no to Margarito. Were they “scared” as well? Allow me to quote De La Hoya, “Margarito has to win the big fights and earn his right to fight the best. So far he has not done enough to warrant the big fights he is pursuing. Just like Mayweather had to earn his right to fight the best and I’m not sure that even Mayweather has done enough yet to deserve a shot at me.” That is the same sentiment Mayweather and Mosley echoed as well in regards to fighting Margarito. A guy who essentially wanted a big payday without fighting the fights that would warrant such demands. You don’t go to the Superbowl without winning in the playoffs. Margarito was also accused of avoiding Paul Williams for a long time. When he finally did fight Williams, although he lost, he placed himself in a position to demand more lucrative fights. The decision of Mayweather to not fight Margarito at the time was based on Margarito not being a draw and not fear. Margarito as of this date is yet to win a fight against a big named opponent although he had his shot against Williams. He now has the opportunity again when he faces Miguel Cotto in July.
I offer to you now my third possibility. Mayweather is waiting to see who wins the Cotto Margarito clash and believes that Cotto will win. De La Hoya will probabaly take on the winner of that fight. I have no doubt based on De La Hoya’s record that he wants to fight big named fighters in his last two fights. He has already indicated an interest in fighting Cotto. If Cotto beats Oscar this would indeed set up a megafight between Mayweather and Cotto in 2009! As I said in part 1, I don’t believe Mayweather is done with boxing. His ego is too big, he loves money too much, and deep down he wants to be regarded as the best. He won’t be able to retire peacefully knowing that there are doubts about his legacy. He will indeed fight Cotto should he prevail against Margarito and possibly De La Hoya as well.
Thank you for reading.
Questions or comments: Email yero_m@yahoo.com