By James Le Blanc/@James_theGrad: Remarkably, this is Floyd Mayweather Jr’s first ever unification bout in which he will be defending his WBA Light Middleweight title and attempting to relieve Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KO’s) of his WBC title. While Alvarez has size advantage, more power in his punch, he is still conceived as a heavy underdog against the brilliant Mayweather who has shown an uncanny ability to adapt to every opponent he has faced who gave him problems early on in the fight.
What has made Mayweather so intriguing to me in the past few months has been his contract with Showtime in which he signed to a 6 fight deal. So no retirement, no long break, no long wait to see Floyd in the ring again, and after this fight with Canelo, we can expect to see Floyd in the ring at least 4 more times in the next two years.
So what’s next say Floyd demolish the young Mexican star? Will he stay at 154lbs? Most likely he will go back to welterweight where he is naturally comfortable and the opposition isn’t as big. Some say Canelo will be Floyd’s biggest challenge, and should he get past him, Floyd will certainly sail into the sunset undefeated. I say this is far from the truth. Unfortunately for Floyd, he will be forced to continue facing the best available. So who are these candidates and what challenges do they present?
Keith Thurman just dismantled a hard hitting Argentinian Diego Chavev in what was an epic slug fest. I mean these guys were trading hard leather. Thurman was able to adapt and switch his style to boxing in which he began to win the rounds and regain composure. In the 10th round the KO came for after he dropped Chavev with a gruesome body shot. Chavev never recovered. After such a display Marcos Maidana turned down being Thurman’s next opponent. Maidana is another feared Argentinian. Robert Guerrero also said he’ll pass from facing Thurman which leaves Thurman most likely in the ring with Jesus Soto Karass. I know Karass will not be successful against Thurman, let’s face it, Thurman is no Andre Berto.
Amir Khan is set to face Devon Alexander for his welterweight title later this year in December. I expect Khans assault to overwhelm the Saint Louis native and strip him of his belt. Alexander has not been impressive for some time now and I knew it wouldn’t be long before someone took his belt. Whether you like Khan or not, he is a problem for every body and while his chin is suspect, his power and offense is not. This is a guy that put Maidana to the canvas, Lamont Peterson to the canvas multiple times, got Zab Judah out with a body shot, and beat Malignaggi to a pulp. Khan presents challenges to Floyd with his output and his height. And he is a big money generator…..this won’t be an easy win for Floyd at all.
f you think like me you expect Lucas Matthysse to make Danny Garcia’s head roll in September. Lucas has power and has dropped every opponent on his record. He is also one of those guys being mentioned to face Floyd should he hand Danny his first loss. Matthysse is an underrated boxer but has lost split decisions to both Judah and Alexander, two boxers. Floyd is an incredible boxer so it’s not a stretch to say Floyd will easily out box him, I am just saying it won’t be easy. Nobody has more of a “Punchers Chance” than Lucas Matthysse.
Broner is merely an honorable mention. Not because he will pose any threat to Mayweather like the others I mentioned, but because I am convinced he will face Floyd soon. See my other articles on this site “Scenario Not so Farfetched” and “Scenario Not so Farfetched 2” and you will see the many reasons I believe this fight is inevitable. Mayweather has called Broner flat footed, and Broner’s recent outing with Paulie Malignaggi displayed his lack of punching power at the welterweight limit. While he mimics Floyds shoulder roll defense, he does not display Floyds speed, accuracy, and incredible foot work. Broner would be the only easy win for Floyd on his way out of the boxing game.
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