02.04.09 – By Michael R. Cumberbatch – There is no doubt many are anticipating the return of Floyd Mayweather. His fans love to watch him and his detractors love to watch in hopes of seeing him lose. Like him or hate him many eyes are on him. Now that we know his return is imminent when he finally returns he will have many options. His temporary retirement has raised his stock and below lets look at some of his possible opponents..
Manny Pacquiao – The Phillipino strongman was impressive in his last fight destroying Oscar Delahoya who appeared to be a shell of the former champion. I’ve heard many Pacquiao fans say he would destroy Mayweather, but I would be very careful with that assessment. Lets remember Oscar looked terrible even before the first punch was thrown. He looked slower than a plodding heavyweight. Many people say Manny’s hand speed was what made Oscar look so slow, but if you purely look at Oscars hand speed those were some of the slowest thrown punches I’ve seen at the A level of boxing.
There is no doubt this would be an awesome fight, but Manny clearly will be facing the most skilled boxer and a brand of defense he has never seen before After the first round of the first fight with Marquez, though he had his moments he surely was not able to dominate Marquez. I along with many thought Marquez won the second fight (a controversial split decision for the Pac Man).
With all that being said I would love to see it. Take my $54.95 now.
Miguel Cotto – Most fight fans were clamoring for this fight before Money Mayweather temporarily retired. Cotto of course went on to face Margorito and was obliterated by the former disgraced welterweight champion formerly dubbed as “the most feared man in boxing”. We now know why Margarito was so feared, packing more plaster than the painting aisle in Home Depot.
Cotto and his fans have to feel somewhat redeemed now knowing his opponent possibly had some help in the mauling he put on him. A matchup with Mayweather would match two great champions in the prime of their careers.
Shane Mosley -He has clearly resurrected his career with the pounding he put on Antonio Margarito. It wasn’t long ago Mosley lost to Cotto and then followed that up with a lackluster performance against the trash talking Nicaraguan, Ricardo Mayorga. He was finally able to stop Mayorga in the last round, despite being behind on one Judges scorecard going into the last round.
A fight between Mosley and Mayweather will also be a spectacular fight. You can make a great case for either man. The speed, defense and skill of Mayweather vs. the speed and power of Mosley.
Ricky Hatton – A win by Hatton in his May 2nd fight against the Pac man will put him back in the picture. Although I don’t know even despite a win over Pacquio if I’m buying he should have another shot at Mayweather with all the options Mayweather will have at his disposal. No doubt you will get a two for one here, a good show and great theatre if Mayweather Sr. is in the Hit Mans corner. The dysfuntionalism the Mayweather clan brings ( Senior, Junior and Uncle Roger) has all the makings of a daytime soap. The truth is Hatton with his legion of English fans represents a lot of money and it doesn’t matter what you or I think, if this happens it will be the dollars that have the last word.
Juan Manuel Marquez -This would also be an intriguing fight but one I would rank probably fourth on my wish list right above the Hatton Fight. Marquez no doubt is a true professional and always comes to fight. Perhaps lacking name recognition with mainstream but his prowess is clearly known by the avid fight fan. His lack of notoriety equals less money for Mayweather and that equals less interest.
I would love to be a fly on a wall as team Mayweather discusses their options. Who will he fight next? Who knows? The one thing you can count on is Leonard Ellebee and Al Haymon will make sure their guy will walk away with the most lucrative deal they can get.