Mayweather turns 35 today; but he’s fighting like he’s 25

By Boxing News - 02/25/2012 - Comments

Image: Mayweather turns 35 today; but he's fighting like he's 25By Chris Williams: WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 25 KO’s) turns 35-years-old today, on Friday, and thus far Mayweather is showing no signs of being anywhere near his chronological age. His speed, accuracy and defensive skills are more like a fighter in his mid-20s than someone in his mid-30s.

Mayweather has been blessed with good genes from both of his parents that has enabled him to age slower than many of his compatriots. With titles in five different divisions, Mayweather isn’t slowing down and is getting ready to add another strap to his collection when he faces WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto on May 5th at the full 154 pound weight for the class, and not aided by any catchweight handicap like the ones that Manny Pacquiao has used from time to time.

Mayweather has beaten the best in boxing, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Carlos Hernandez, Arturo Gatti, Sharmba Mitchell, Juan Manuel Marquez, Carlos Baldomir, Jesus Chavez, Angel Manfredy, Shane Mosley and Victor Ortiz. The one name that has constantly eluded Mayweather is the Filipino fighter Pacquiao, who was resistant to the idea of taking the full random blood tests for a fight with Mayweather in 2010.

The fight negotiations fell apart when Pacquiao said he wanted a 24-day no blood testing period before the fight. Mayweather wanted 17 days. Since then, the two fighters have never come close to putting a fight together like they did then. Pacquiao’s game has slipped a notch since 2009, and he barely beat 38-year-old Marquez last November. Mayweather had an easy time beating a younger, better version of Marquez in 2009. Since he recognizes that he’s better than Pacquiao, Mayweather naturally wants a bigger cut of the purse for a fight against him. It makes sense because if you’ve got a fighter like Mayweather that is considered by boxing fans as the best fighter in the sport, then it doesn’t make sense to give Pacquiao a 50-50 deal.



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