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Floyd Mayweather JR: Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Victor Ortiz or Sergio Martinez … Who Can Beat Him? – Boxing News

By Geno McGahee

In the HBO series “24/7,” the undefeated Floyd Mayweather, JR., 42-0, 26 KO’s, will demand respect and will brag about his dominance of the sport of boxing. His character of “Money Mayweather” has been a successful one, as he has become the man that many want to see lose. Muhammad Ali knew that as long as they pay to see him, it didn’t matter as to the reason why.

For a few years now, the Filipino superstar, Manny Pacquiao, 53-3-2, 38 KO’s, has been the man that many have seen as the end of the Mayweather winning streak, but several things have happened recently. The most obvious is a slowing down in the Pacquiao speed and as much as Floyd detractors claim that he has been matched carefully, the list of Pacquiao opponents have not been prime elite forces. He has been equally steered to be a winner.

After a lackluster decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez in the final fight of their trilogy, Pacquiao left the ring with many of his supporters jumping ship and now ready to place their money on Floyd to be victorious. The fact of the matter is that Marquez controlled and won the fight, but not on the cards. Floyd is a better fighter than Marquez and is a similar sort of fighter, but with more defense and better timing. He is also bigger. Not only would Floyd defeat Pacquiao at this point, but he would most likely stop him…if he chose to.

The upcoming opponent according to several sources is WBA Light Middleweight Champion, Miguel Cotto, 37-2, 30 KO’s. Cotto is a huge name in the sport, even now, as he is beyond his better days. He has power and a huge following, but his only chance against Floyd Mayweather, JR., would be the “puncher’s chance.” He had issues with the boxing ability of Joshua Clottey and lost many of the later rounds against the feather-fisted Paulie Malignaggi. Floyd would eat him up, especially in the later rounds. Cotto, although very talented and gutsy is not a 12 round fighter. He builds the early lead and then will be in cruise control at the end to make it to the final bell. He will be behind on the cards to Floyd and would not have anything in the tank to make a push with. It’s an easy UD for Floyd.

In September, Floyd took on Victor Ortiz, 29-3-2, 22 KO’s, a talented and young power-puncher that was going to give “Money” some issues and he did when he smashed his head into his jaw. It was a flagrant head butt, intended to make Floyd angry and it worked. Unfortunately, it worked too well. Floyd came out and cheap-shotted Ortiz twice and ended the fight in the same round. Those that paid 60 bucks to see the fight were more than upset at the abrupt ending and the unsportsmanlike conduct by both men. It is safe to say that Ortiz will be more aware of what he’s up against and vice versa. A rematch is a good sale because of what happened the first time around. Ortiz must first get beyond Andre Berto in February, which he should. Berto is a good fighter, but Ortiz is tougher and that’ll be the difference. But should Berto win, it opens up a fresh opponent for Floyd to consider.

Sergio Martinez, 48-2-2, 27 KO’s, awaits a name fighter to step up and face him. He and Paul Williams found each other when nobody else wanted to step into the ring with them, and Martinez came out of the showdowns the winner, crashing Williams to the floor in the second round of their second encounter. Since then, he has not been able to find that big fight. He has beaten unknowns like Serhiy Dzinziruk and Darren Barker, and is now pushing for a showdown with Julio Cesar Chavez, JR., a fight he will easily win…which is why the fight won’t happen. Martinez is in a tough position. There is not enough public demand for him to get a shot at Mayweather and he’s too big to face Pacquiao. If he were to face Floyd, he would give him a great fight because of his strength and timing. He is the most likely to defeat “Money Mayweather” should he ever get the chance…which he most likely will not.

Floyd Mayweather, JR., like it or not, will most likely remain undefeated his entire career, but a question mark will still linger above it. Despite his undefeated record and untouchable status, he never had the fighters to face that even an Oscar De La Hoya did. It’s hard to imagine Floyd being undefeated in the 1990s or in the 1980s. He has come along at the right time and has been strategically matched to make the most money and remain unbeaten. It’s not what the boxing fans want, but Floyd’s more business than boxing.

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