By Nick Hagan: This time next week Floyd Mayweather Jr’s fans will be asking themselves, who next? Its undoubtedly getting to the point where there is now very few viable opponents for this champion. If you look at all the belt holders/ big names between 147 – 154, that Mayweather could pick, you have a relatively small list that consists of, Keith Thurman, Shaun Porter, Erislandry Lara, Amir Khan, Saul “Alvarez” and Danny Garcia.
I’m going to dismiss Amir Khan straight away, because I see Luis Collazo knocking him out and effectively ending his career on Saturday night.
There are a few other names that we would all like to see added to the list that I have compiled above, however, these fight’s can’t and won’t be made due to TV contractual rights and the “Cold War” between Top Rank and “The Money Team”/ Golden Boy Promotions.
After this coming Saturday’s fight against Marcos Maidana, Mayweather only has three fights left on his Showtime contract. I see his next opponent being Danny Garcia. Garcia is the Jr. Welterweight champion, but ready to move up to 147. This is an attractive fight due to Garcia’s colourful father ‘Angel Garcia’ and his decent resume that includes names such as Khan and Lucas Matthysse. However I see Garcia as too flat footed and one dimensional to beat Mayweather. So I’m going for a Maywaether win on points.
Looking ahead to next May, I can honestly see Maywaether fighting the winner of the pending fight in June between Lara and ‘Alvarez. I see this particular fight as a good matchup between two genuine champions, of completely different styles. Lara is a very skilled boxer and ‘Alvarez more of a brawler. It’s going to be a close fight, which I see going to point’s with ‘Alvarez the victor. From here I see ‘Alvarez taking a mandatory, before setting up a return with Mayweather next May. If Mayweather and ‘Alvarez were to fight a second time, I see it being much closer, due to ‘Alvarez Improvements with age and experience and Mayweather showing some signs of advancement in age. (It has to be noted that by this stage he will 38 years old), however I still see Mayweather winning a close fight on points.
Now to his Mayweather’s final opponent. I see Keith Thurman, landing this chance. Thurman is really beginning to impress me. There is still room for Improvement, in particular with his defence, where he can be a bit sloppy and with his overall stamina. However he is still only 25 and in his recent fights he has shown great power, ring movement and very quick hands. It looks like Thurman is on a collision course with Shawn Porter the IBF Welterweight champion, at the end of this year. This is a seriously good matchup, between two young champions, but a fight I see Thurman winning, due to his superior overall boxing skills.
This win will set Thurman (after a mandatory defence) up for his opportunity against Mayweather next September. I see this as a winnable fight for Thurman. By that stage he would have ironed out his defence and stamina issues and had Championship fights against quality opposition. Thurman is a speed, power, relentless pressure boxer and the type of opponent that would cause Mayweather many problems in the ring.
I would be interested in hearing other people’s thoughts on this subject. In particular I’m Interested to hear If there are other viable opponents that you feel that I have missed off the list, bearing in mind the TV contractual rights and the “Cold War” between Top Rank and “The Money Team”/ Golden Boy Promotions.
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