28.03.09 – by Thomas McNamara: The world of boxing and its competitors (in the “central” weight classes of the 140-147lb) has been taunted, scared, thrilled, disappointed, shocked and hurt by one man. We may not all love him or wish that he comes back into realms of the sweet science, but Floyd Mayweather Jr has been spotted back in training in L.A.
If you’ve been under a rock or in space for the past decade then I’ll give you a brief update; “The Pretty Boy” Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr, to give him his full title, is the 6 time world champion at 5 different weight divisions.. He has defeated such names as Diego Corrales, Jose Louis Castillo (twice), Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya and the only man to beat one of the most beloved boxers in the sport today, Ricky Hatton. Floyd’s record therefore stands at 39-0 with 25 Kos, but I don’t think he needs an introduction.
Mayweather is known for his love of money, hence his nickname; his fight with De La Hoya is in the record books for the highest paying gross fight in the history of the sport. His promotion company “Mayweather Promotions” provides him with a steady flow of cash to splash when he is away from the ring. This means that Mayweather is obviously not running dry on the dollars, so why do the critics keep saying he’s coming back just to make another payday? Maybe, but I think that Mayweather is coming to the world of boxing out of frustration. In the Hatton/Mayweather 27/7 show before the December 07 super bout, Mayweather is described as “Never leaving the 147lb limit.” And I believe this to be true. Even out of the competitive ring Floyd will want to keep himself lean and fit, for any occasion. So the lack of training isn’t an issue for Mayweather, even though it may not be as intense or important as it would be if a fight was on the bill.
In all truth, Mayweather is missing the squared circle. The adrenaline, the attention, the risk, the gain and the love of the sport are all factors that are pulling Mayweather back towards the competitive ring. With Mosley holding the WBA Welterweight title, Cotto holding the WBO Welterweight title, Hatton on the bill with the Lb 4 Lb king Pacquiao and Marquez in charge of the Lightweight division it’s not like there is a lack of choice. The magnitude of spectators for each of these possible bouts would not by tiny either, with the whole of England backing Hatton for a rematch, and the Philippians backing Pacquiao for a “clash of styles” bout, a fight against the winner of their respected super fight would not be a bad option for Mayweather. The critics and some fans want Mayweather to show he can have it off against a tough opponent in his prime though, so Cotto, Mosley or Marquez wouldn’t be too shabby either. The sheer number of options for Mayweather shows that the rumors of him ready for a July 11th showdown may not be just rumors after all.
With everything said and done, I think that Mayweather misses taunting opponents, revving the crowds, flashing his wealth at press conferences, stepping into that ring and doing what he was born to do; Win fights. I think, a fan or not, we are as ready as he is to step back into his domain.