By Robert Brown: Floyd Mayweather Jnr. is coming back after his second consecutive long term layoff, this one being around 19 months. Again people out there are saying that Mayweather is not fighting a quality opponent for someone of his skill level and stature in boxing.
This is a ridiculous statement, aside for Manny Pacquiao, Victor Ortiz is the most qualified and dangerous fighter out there after coming off an impressive victory against Antre Berto in a fight in which bother fighters traded knock downs, however Ortiz dominated the fight with his relentless pressure and superior strength. Even though Ortiz was the fighter who jumped up from the 140 pound weight class to go after Berto’s title, he clearly seemed like the bigger, stronger and more dominating individual in that fight, which was demonstrated on the particular night in which he fought and decisively beat Berto.
It seems no matter who Mayweather fights, and unless it is Pacquiao, a multitude of criticism will follow. The boxing public and aspects of the boxing media need to separate there dislike of Mayweather as a person and focus more on him as a boxer. If this was any other 34 year old coming back after a year and a half layoff fighting a young hungry 24 year old champion, everyone would be saying what a dangerous fight this is and how much of a rink this fight is.
It is my opinion, that because it is Mayweather, people are choosing to ignore this fact. Before the readers and the rest of the boxing public out there accuse me of being Mayweather biast, there is something you might like to know. I am actually a Pacquiao fan, and do not like the public persona that Mayweather projects, however in my role I must posses the ability to separate those external factors and focus on him as a fighter. Unfortunately some areas of the general public are currently not able to accomplish this.
Sections of the general public continually suggest that Mayweather is not fighting fighters in their prime, so let’s do a quick comparison. Pacquiao in his last several fights has fought an underweight, dehydrated and well past his prime De la Hoya. A mentally scared, allegedly post loaded gloved Margarito, and a well past his prime, shop worn Sugar Shane Mosley who it seemed from the naked eye, had just turned up for the pay check rather than engaging in a championship fight.
When evaluating a fighter’s record and performance you have to be balanced and evaluate the other fighter’s performance. Sadly it seems, much of the boxing public, at least the ones who are against Floyd Mayweather Jnr, are not doing that.
The reality is Victor Ortiz is coming off the biggest win of his career, has dangerous punching power, and is a southpaw that will continually come forward and press the attack. On top of this he also has good boxing skill sets and clearly is the best tune up fight that can possibly be made for Manny Pacquiao.
Because Manny Pacquiao is fighting Juan Manuel Marquez, people may argue that because the last two fights between these men were close, that Pacquiao is fighting the more competitive opponent. This is clearly not the case. Since those two fights Pazquiao is bigger, stronger and more skillful, and if you have any doubts just remember the last time Marquez fought at a catch weight was against Mayweather when he looked bloated and sluggish. It is my belief that Pacquaio and Marquez have vastly grown apart as fighters and Marquez will be knocked out in the middle to late rounds.
So look deep down inside yourselves and ask yourself who is the more dangerous opponent. I think you will come to the conclusion that Floyd Mayweather is fighting the much more dangerous opponent, particularly after his long layoff.