By Jaime Ortega: It’s not about Pay-per-views. It’s not about making money. It’s not about avoiding ‘L’s’ in your record. It’s about giving true boxing fans the fights they deserve.
If Floyd Mayweather Jr, beats Marcos Maidana on May 3. It would be a total joke for Floyd to take on the winner of Amir Khan versus Luis Collazo.
Neither boxer deserves fighting the defensive master. Their records are badly tarnished to be worthy opponents and entangle a ‘realistic’ shot at Floyd.
Floyd needs to allow other undefeated lions to take a shot at his belt. And there’s five mandatory opponents that Floyd should fight after May third. There is no way out.
Obviously the number one contender should be WBO champion Manny Pacquiao, but unless De La Hoya fixes the problems between Golden Boy and Top Rank, the fight probably won’t happen anytime soon.
Keith Thurman will be Floyd’s mandatory for the WBA belt, after convincingly beating Julio Diaz with a devastating right hook to the ribcage, he proved ready to take on any of the top ten Welterweight contenders. His speed, combined with atomic power can put down any opponent. Keith has a style to his technique that could poses a big problem for Floyd’s defense, especially considering that most of his knockouts come from brutal shots to the body.
Despite what many claim, Dan Birmingham has said in multiple occasions that Thurman is ready to take on anyone.
The other mandatory fight should be against IBF champion, Shawn Porter. A dangerous opponent that in the 4th round demolished and knocked out an overhyped Paul Malignaggi. Porter has a lot of talent, and is the best prospect coming out the Midwest, with more projection than Adrian Broner. Porter has an orthodox stance, but he can also fight as a southpaw.
WBC champion, Luis Carlos Abregu, 36-1, 29 knockouts is another mandatory fighter that is underrated and deserves a title shot against Floyd. He hasn’t got much media coverage in the U.S, mainly because he is mostly fought South American fighters, but the guy is an upcoming talented fighter. He lost in 2010 in a very close bout with Timothy Bradley, but has progressed ever since as a boxer. Abregu has speed and power, with a long punching reach.
Danny Garcia also deserves a title shot against Floyd. He is the super WBA and WBC champion. Garcia has 28-0, 16 knockouts. Garcia is a slick boxer and unlike the fighters above, he is a moderate knockout fighter. He should logically take on Floyd, next. He would be a tough cookie to beat.
It would be unreal for true boxing fans to settle with anything less. If Floyd does not take on these mandatory opponents, he will automatically degrade his legacy and disqualify from the title of being the best ever (TBE). His fans have the obligation to pressure Floyd to take on these mandatory fights.
Another good alternative would be for Pacquiao to take on these mandatory opponents, as it would automatically boost up his legacy. Pacquiao has not given an expiration date to his retirement, so he has the ability to take as many dangerous fights to set him back to the number one spot, due to the difficulty and risk these mandatory fights present for his boxing career.
It’s who these boxers fight that makes their legacy great.
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