Floyd Mayweather is unquestionably one of the best fighters to ever grace a boxing ring given his great boxing acumen combined with his technical brilliance. In a sport that is often portrayed as a bloodthirsty, aggresive way of making a living, Mayweather has often made great fighters look ordinary in displays that can often be described as the work of an artist, a technical masterpiece. He is not the first, and will not be the last, to put on technical clinic, but what sets Mayweather aside from the rest? What makes Floyd the most talked about name in the boxing world, and what makes him the cash cow of the boxing industry? Floyd possesses a very special quality that very few other fighters possess...his brilliant self promotional style, the ability to create, to tell and sell a story. With these very unique qualities added to his in-ring brilliance, he makes the attraction and appeal of the fight a work of art. Mayweather's ability to make every event he is involved in dramatic, controversial and flashy is something that only Muhammad Ali can draw comparison with. Love or hate both fighters, you would tune in to see them and witness them show you what they told you.
Boxing will always be filled with loyalty, controversy and a temporary pedestal, however, life after boxing is and always will be determined by what you do during your career and the way you carry yourself. The way you put yourself out there is what keeps you relevent in the days after boxers depart the sport. Understandably, you will get characters that don't achieve anything in the sport, but are often remembered for a humiliation or a moment of stupidity during their career, such as the YouTube sensation Usman Ahmed, the dancing boxer. In the eyes of most, the pride and legacy of a retired boxer is only topped by supplying a great living for their family. Whether you are Floyd's biggest fan or biggest critic, you have to admire the way he has used the emotions of the boxing world to ensure he will stay relevant and one of the most talked about athletes in the history of the sport, even long after he retires.
Yes, there are fighters out there who have a very loyal legion of fans that back their guy through thick and thin. Yes, you will see fighters that make promises to the world about what they are about to deliver, with some of them who do deliver and some who don't. Yes, you have the Manny Pacquiao boxing fan club founded in 2008 following the Oscar De La Hoya fight that overshadowed his loyal fans, but how many fighters out there can you say, "He can create a story out of nothing and he can back up everything that he says in the ring, so although he toys with our emotions, I still want to tune in to see him." I can only name one and that's Floyd Mayweather. People will say, Manny Pacquiao, but I categorically disagree.
Manny Pacquaio, as admirable as his career achievements have been and as humble as he may seem, without the Floyd Mayweather name, he really would be found wanting in terms of marketing prowess. It is only right to admire Pacquaio for his role as a congressmen in his own country, and I wish him all the best in that, but from a boxing perspective, whilst his fights are entertaining because of his typical Freddie Roach trained ambush style, the reason Pacquaio has recieved the hype he has is largely due to the propaganda used by Bob Arum against the Mayweather name before, during, and after a Pacquaio fight. Bob Arum has often used his propaganda against Floyd Mayweather to generate interest in his fighter, and with the excellent matchmaking of Top Rank and Freddie Roach, the in-ring accomplishments seem more sparkling than they actually are. Catchweight rules, drained opponents, and over the hill opponents with a perfectly matched style for an attacking fighter is what we've become accustomed to seeing Manny in the ring with. Whilst sections of the world's media is starting to see through the excuses and manipulation from Bob Arum and team Pacquaio, there some sections that are still intent on criticising every opponent Floyd Mayweather faces. Does this create a dilemma for Floyd in selecting his next opponent if the much anticipated battle does not materialize?
Process of Elimination
In 2005, Sharmba Mitchell was the last time Floyd Mayweather fought somebody who did not hold a world title, yet he gets criticized for his selection of opponents, accusations ranging from opponents being too young (Victor Ortiz coming off the back of a career-high victory) to being too old, like the case of Shane Mosley, who was coming off the back of arguably his most dominant perfomance). From facing a "finished" Oscar De La Hoya in a fight that saw De La Hoya weigh in at a comfortable 154 pounds at a weight class that Floyd had never fought at, to opponents being too small, like Marquez and Hatton (Marquez proved quite conclusively he can make weight vs. Pacquaio and so did Hatton, who had already previously won at 147-pound title a year prior. Regardless of what your arguments are with those guys, they were all world champions, and with arguably the exception of De La Hoya, Floyd was at his brilliant best. Being the PPV and P4P king, the process of elimination in the next choice of opponent for Floyd will be massive, especially if the Pacquaio fight does not materialize. With that being said, here's a list of names based around the boxing world for Floyd:
Miguel Cotto
Weight: Comfortable at 147-154; no real issue here. If it was at Light Middleweight, Mayweather would assumably weigh in lighter, but no notable issue.
Current Condition: Took time to recover after the first Margarito bout and against Pacquaio, but he's still strong, resillient and very dangerous with slightly more in-ring intelligence.
Make sense stylistically: Yes! Cotto would struggle with Floyd's movement, in-ring adjustments and counter punching, but his power and approach would make an interesting contrast.
Make sense business-wise: Definitely! Good story to tell, good history, both have good following, do good numbers, and are two of the best world champions in the game.
Possibility: With Top Rank, unlikely; without Top Rank, a possibility
Saul Alvarez
Weight: 150-154. I would assume he would be closer to 154.
Current Condition: Very promising talent with a lot of fights under his belt, but has only fought shot or below standard fighters.
Make sense stylistically: Definitely. The pressure Canelo could put on Floyd, along with his power, would be interesting,
Make sense business-wise: On May 5th, absoutely! He has a big Mexican following and Floyd always does big numbers. The King vs. The Future would make a good story.
Possibility: Possible, but I would lean towards unlikely since he's one of Golden Boy's hottest young talents. A defeat to Mayweather in resounding fashion may have a negative effect, and with no real elite level opponents under his belt, it would not make good sense from a Golden Boy perspective.
Amir Khan
Weight: 147, which is comfortable for both.
Current Condition: Promising, but remains to be seen after being halted in the Peterson loss.
Make sense stylistically: Yes! Both are quick and have good movement, but Mayweather's intelligence and in-ring adjustments would really cause Khan and his corner problems.
Make sense business-wise: Currently, no because of the Peterson result, but there's a good sub-plot with Roach and Pacquaio. Plus the UK factor, given their love for Floyd Mayweather and loyalty their own fighters. It would do big numbers, but more likely, not until 2013 after Khan gets back on track following defeat.
Possibility: Almost impossible now for May 5, but very likely in 2013.
Sergio Martinez
Weight: Could be a big issue. 160 is too high for Mayweather and 150 too low Martinez. Can be a no-win situation for Floyd if Martinez drops lower than his comfortable weight. It would also be a huge risk for Floyd to go to Middleweight.
Current Condition: Martinez, without question, is one of the top P4P fighters and has proven to be devestating against smaller guys. Although he has not fought anybody with the in-ring ability of Floyd, the conditioning and reputation of Martinez is not to be questioned.
Make sense stylistically: Yes! Both will cause each other problems and would bring the best out of each other. He would definitely be Floyd's toughest option.
Make sense business-wise: Without question.
Possibility: If the comments from the Martinez camp are to be believed, possibly, but I would say unlikely, and a Chavez Jr. match is a fight that needs to be made at Middleweight.
Robert Guerrero
Weight: 147 is comfortable for Guerrero, who walks around a lot higher than his current fight weight.
Current Condition: Very promising with a lot of hype, although to jump straight from fighting "decent" lightweights to fighting the best boxer in the game is a huge leap.
Make sense stylistically: Yes! Guerrero can adjust well, but has not stepped in the ring with anybody anywhere near Floyd's level. Guerrero has said a lot in recent weeks about what he can do, should do, and will do, but I fail to see him troubling Floyd.
Make sense business-wise: There could be a big story to tell with the family issue Guerrero faced, but a lot of the boxing world would be of the opinion that Floyd will win this bout in resounding fashion. Although Floyd does huge numbers, I don't think numbers with Guerrero would exceed the numbers of some other possible opponents.
Possibility: Unsure. The mouth of Guerrero in recent weeks may have an impact on Golden Boy's involvement in the negotiations, so it could be a possibility.
Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto Winner
Weight: 147
Current Condition: Both fighters drawing power would have took a hit with their recent losses, but Ortiz's profile has risen after his high profile loss to Floyd. Both very promising fighters.
Make sense stylistically: Yes to both. Berto would probably be a slightly tougher test.
Make sense business-wise: I would say no, especially to Ortiz. The first fight did good numbers, but I doubt the numbers would exceed that in the second fight. Berto also has not really established himself as a huge PPV attraction.
Possibility: Oscar De La Hoya's whining about the result and demanding of a rematch makes it a possibility, but doubtful. Berto would be more likely if he wins, but neither would be ready for May 5th.
Juan Manuel Marquez
Weight: 147
Current Condition: Big hype around him after his excellent performance in his robbery against Pacquiao. He's moving on in years though, and although Floyd will be 35, his reflexes and athletisism match that of a young 24/25 year old.
Make sense stylistically: Yes, but after a lopsided decision to Mayweather in 2009, it would be doubtful even after his Pacquaio performance that Marquez would trouble Floyd. Marquez has got Pacquaio's number, which often occurs in certain battles.
Make sense business-wise: On May 5, maybe so because of the time of the year, but most would be of the opinion that it will be same outcome as before.
Possibility: Unlikely. As Floyd said, get it done right the first time. He did just that in scintilating fashion, so no need to do it again.
Timothy Bradley
Weight: 147. Bradley says he wants to move up, but not yet.
Current Condition: Rebuilding in a sense after a break, but very promising fighter.
Make sense stylistically: Good style. In terms of making it a classic, it would probably not be an exciting fight and lean more towards a tactical battle.
Make sense business-wise: Not yet. Bradley is not a big enough attraction as of yet.
Possibility: Unlikely due to Bradley being with Top Rank and not having a big fan base.
A closed mouth does not get fed!
Obviously, there will be a small minority that will mention other names here and there, but those listed above are the guys with real meaning. Regardless of who Floyd decides to fight, it will do good numbers due to Floyd's brilliant business accumen and the appeal Floyd has around the world, and regardless who he chooses, he will get criticism by the people who love to diminish the achievements of the man. Despite what Floyd goes on to do in his career to add to his inpenetrable record, the promotional skills and invention, will prove vital to aspiring stars looking to make a name in the sport. With the unveiling and development of the 24/7 series to give fans real insight into the preparation and lives of the boxers, it has really provided an opportunity for these aspiring stars to portray themselves to the boxing world. As Victor Ortiz found out, the pressure at the top really intensifies. For up and coming young boxers looking to succeed and follow in the foot steps of the likes of Mayweather and Pacquaio, it is important they have their own philosophy and style to make themselves unique. Adrien ' Dad brush my hair' Broner is a perfect example of trying to put himself out there with his own unique style, philosophy and slogans. Broner is admittedly a big Mayweather fan, with the unique look of Saul Alvarez, the exciting style of Amir Khan, the ring brilliance of Andre Ward, and the ever growing reputation of Nonito Donaire, the future of boxing looks very promising, and if these guys can combine their in-ring ability with some brilliant business acumen and self promotional skills, they can really make a great career for themselves, both in and out of the ring. Without question, the future of boxing looks very bright, and whilst a certain amount of controversy generates interest, lets hope that we see the best in there against the best under the best possible circumstances.
You can reach me at ssmith@fighthype.com