(Hogan Photos) By Sam Jaegerson: Five weight world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (45-0, 26 KO’s) is a disease, and when I say disease I mean this as the biggest compliment I could possibly give. Much like a disease Mayweather adapts perfectly to his surroundings, breaks you down and once he finds your weaknesses takes full advantage. The problem for the boxing world, much like a disease every time you think you have a cure for Mayweather, he evolves. In the build-up to last nights super fight Oscar De la Hoya constantly bombarded us with the word blueprint.
De La Hoya’s split decision loss to Mayweather in 2007 is the closest anyone has ever come to beating Mayweather. The blueprint what was used that night saw Oscar working his way in using the jab either to the body or the head, then using combinations to try and nullify Mayweather unmatched countering abilities. This game plan was extremely successful until the midway point of the fight. Many journalists and experts to this day say if Oscar had carried his blueprint into the second half of the fight Mayweather would no longer have a perfect record. De La Hoya was actually criticized on the night for not doing this. But looking back was it De La Hoya’s fault that he was unable to use his Jab or did Mayweather simply evolve. The list of victims who have been handed ‘the golden blueprint’ since this super fight would suggest Mayweather simply evolved.
Ricky Hatton, Roberto Guerrero and Saul Alvarez were all given the blueprint, but much like their predecessor they all came up short. These men were all younger than Mayweather and in the case of Hatton and Guerrero renowned for the extremely high work rates. This made these men the prime candidates to take the blueprint and put it into action. Hatton was the first to try, sadly as a fellow Brit the game plan failed him. Hatton although brave was consistently caught on the way in which led to his frustration. This frustration became the weakness that ‘the disease’ Mayweather used against him. Hatton started to lunge wildly and was getting caught heavily, and before he knew it the fight was over and Mayweather was still P4P number 1.
Then there was ‘The Ghost’ Roberto Guerrero. Surely the De La Hoya blueprint couldn’t fail for a third time, but once again it did. The Ghost simply wasn’t able to get close the Mayweather. Guerrero’s record spoke for itself, and I personally believe he fully deserved his shot against the face of boxing. Mayweather natural talent destroyed Guerrero. Guerrero’s heart which is one of his biggest strengths was broken by the mid-way point and Mayweatheer simply cruised to a points win.
This brings me to last night. Enter the great white Mexican hope Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Surely the younger, stronger, heavier man would succeed where 44 others had failed. Surely he would bully Mayweather around the ring using the jab then use his strength to break down Mayweather’s body when he was against the ropes. Simply put Mayweather has torn up the supposed blueprint. Canelo who I thought fought gallantly, and unlike Hatton and Guerrero at least had a plan b and c just couldn’t get close enough to Mayweather. He tried it the De La Hoya way but Mayweather’s footwork was unbelievable. He only allowed himself to go onto the ropes when he wanted to and when he did he normally responded with a superb counter. Canelo then tried countering the counter puncher, but just like a disease Mayweather evolved immediately to the situation and came out the better.
Yes people will say Cotto pushed Mayweather all the way, but did he ever really trouble him. Mosley hurt Mayweather but all this seemed to do was wake him up. Then there was the Castillo fights. Yes both fights were close but still Mayweather came out on top. Last night I found myself looking at the previous victims of Mayweather and it reads like a who’s who of boxing greats. Marquez, Corrales, Baldomir, Gatti, Corley and Judah can be added to the seven previous men I have mentioned in this article.
The big question now is, who’s next? I for one would still love to see the Pacquiao fight. This fight would still do huge PPV numbers especially if Manny gets past Brandon Rios convincingly. I don’t personally believe, despite a very good performance last night that Danny Garcia is quite ready for Mayweather. You could throw the winner of the Bradley v Marquez fight in the hat. But from a selfish point of view I would love to see him fight Amir Khan in Wembley stadium, that’s if Amir can shock Devon Alexander. Although the prospect of Mayweather fighting in England is unrealistic I can continue to dream. One thing is for sure though, this morning ‘The Golden Boy’ can take the blueprint from Canelo and put it back in the vault because last night it, just like the previous times he dusted it off and gave it to one of his stable, it simply didn’t work.
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