By Tom Drury: Exciting times for boxing and its followers in the knowledge that Floyd Mayweather Jr has just signed a six fight contract with Showtime/CBS which is reportedly going to net Mayweather a huge $250,000,000 if the contract is fulfilled within 30 months. Mayweather’s inactivity over recent years has been a cause for concern among his fans (including myself) questioning his hunger for the sport and how long his career would continue.
Mayweather is the face of boxing and the sports biggest ppv star/attraction. Fans, experts, analysts and the general public all tune in for a Floyd Mayweather event, the reasons being either to witness his undeniable natural talent inside the ring, others tune in to witness him lose the most famous “0” in fight history.
The fans that tune in to allegedly witness Mayweather lose are really tuning in to see if any boxer actually possesses the skills to compete with Mayweather let alone win the fight, either way Mayweather is winning inside the ring and outside, he is boxing’s biggest earner and the highest paid athlete 2012 (Forbes).
This article is going to compile a list of fighters that will be in line for a match-up against the current WBC welter-weight champion, WBO light-middleweight champion and pound for pound (1) fighter on the planet Floyd “Money” Mayweather during his cashing out contract with Showtime/CBS. The list is in no particular order, just my opinion of the fighters who will be likely matched up against Mayweather.
(Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero). Guerrero is already signed to fight Mayweather on “Cinco de Mayo” May 4th at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. Guerrero has earned his shot, he has had wins over Vincente Escobedo at light-weight among others and his most recent victories have been way of Selcuck Aydin and Andre Berto, genuine welter-weight fighters.
Guerrero although not the most technically gifted boxer can box a little, he also likes to rough it up and force a fight on the inside. After recently watching Mayweather/Guerrero’s first coming together on a showtime promo for the fight www.youtube.com/Mayweather/Guerreropromo Guerrero seemed un-phased at first by the notorious trash talk of the great Mayweather Jr. (Mayweather) “This is the real deal now, the raw dog” (Guerrero) “This is what ive been waiting for” (Mayweather) “17 years dominating the sport” (Mayweather) “How do you want to do it?” (Guerrero) “Let’s do it toe to toe” (Mayweather) “Let’s do it, however you want it”. Guerrero saying after the meeting Floyd failed to get under his skin quoting “If I get heated, i start swinging”. In my opinion Mayweather definitely ruffled Guerrero’s feathers by the end of the promo, how can he not? he is the best trash talker on the planet and backs it up with performances in the ring. This will be a good fight come May 4th.
(Saul “Canelo” Alvarez). Alvarez in my own personal opinion should not get a shot at Mayweather, Canelo’s most notable wins have come against an over-matched Kermit Cintron, lighter Josesito Lopez and a shot “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Alvarez is celebrated as the red haired, good looking Mexican hanging off Oscar De La Hoya’s tail wings, not respected as a fighter. He has not challenged one credible opponent, although I do credit him for taking the upcoming challenge that is Austin Trout. Alvarez is too inexperienced to face Floyd Mayweather he is also technically flawed due to the lack of competitive natured fights. Trout will dismantle the Mexican, he is too classy and technically sound. This said i still feel Alvarez will get the chance against Mayweather due to the massive PPV numbers that fight would generate.
(Kell Brook/Devon Alexander). Brook and Alexander are reportedly doing battle in May also, the fight has been postponed due to Alexander suffering a shoulder injury in training, there was all sorts of conspiracy theories circling the injury, some believing Alexander had been contacted by the Mayweather team in regards to signing for a fight with Floyd, this was all untrue of course. Kell Brook (UK) is a fantastic talent, his style is that of the old school fighter, great orthodox footwork, speed, accuracy, every punch in the book, efficient with both hands and knockout power complimented by a good chin and plenty of heart. Brook displaying that power in his most recent outing against Argentine Hector Saldivia knocking him down and out with a sharp, pin point jab, Devon Alexander will (I feel) be out of his depth in a fight with Brook. Brook might just get that phone call every young fighter of this era dreams about “The Mayweather call up”.
(Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley). Timothy Bradley is considered “boring” by many (including myself) Bradley’s style is nothing special, he just does his job in the ring and I might add no matter how he looks in doing so, he always gets the job done. Bradley is forgotten and overlooked by everyone in the fightgame, I put this down to lack of personality (which effects his chances of building a fanbase), lack of punch power which shows in all his fights, his style just doesn’t possess those fireworks which the welter-weights are commonly known for. Bradley does keep winning though, among those wins has been against legendary Filipino Manny Pacquiao, controversial yes but a win is a win no matter how you chose to look at it. Nobody can ignore winning for too long that includes Mayweather especially as they both occupy the same weight division.
(Austin Trout). Trout is emerging as a talent to look out for, he is a talented, skilled southpaw that knows his way around a ring and how to fight, this was clear in his most recent fight against Miguel Cotto, Trouts next bout as ive mentioned is against hype job Saul Alvarez, if Trout emerges victorious i think a couple more fights and Austin will be in with a chance of making a fight with Mayweather, Trout should maybe fight the Cuban Erislandy Lara at 154 then a fight with Argentine Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez in a winner gets Mayweather type fight (if possible). Either way although talented i think Trout should be looking to gain experience in some competitive fights before challenging Mayweather.
(Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez) one of my personal favorites Martinez is the most under rated, feared fighters in boxing, if this guy was American or Mexican his fanbase and ppv capacity would be huge. He fights/wants to fight anybody willing and always puts on a show of speed/power and heart inside the ring. Martinez is aging and showing signs of slowing up inside the ring, if a fight was made before summer 2014 i think a Mayweather/Martinez fight would be a great match up while giving Martinez that big payday he deserves, Martinez is a superstar under the radar, he can box, hes got good footwork, deceptive speed and huge power in that left hand.
Keith Thurman, Andre Berto, Luis Abregu, Randall Bailey, Erislandy Lara, Amir Kahn, Brandon Rios, Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Paquiao could but have a very slim chance of being involved with fights against Mayweather, apart from the fighters mentioned in this article other fighters occupying the welter-weight, light-welterweight, super-welterweight divisions have no chance of getting this opportunity, they just don’t have the talent or fanbase to be considered legitimate contenders.
Mayweather is gearing up for a busy 30 months, if he fulfills this contract and stays undefeated, he will acquire wealth beyond comprehension, while in my opinion having the greatest undefeated resume in boxing history.
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