Floyd Mayweather JR Vs Manny Pacquiao: Still an Option
By Gina L. Caliboso
If you look at Floyd “Money” Mayweather, JR’s Facebook page, there’s usually one standard pic of him standing next to piles of cash after winning a bet, or perhaps showing his courtside/ringside seats, or even a vacay pic of himself on a yacht. Take away all the cash, take away all the pics of his beautiful self, and take away the picture of the yacht.
There is, however, one constant portrayal of Mayweather these days. And, it usually involves some sort of criminal activity. It’s sad really, but as my Managing Editor Geno McGahee points out, Mayweather, with the media help and hype of TMZ, has been portrayed as the consummate bad boy. His name equates with the criminal. But underneath it all and as I’ve always said, Mayweather needs to fight and he needs to fight soon.
So, let’s take a moment away from the name calling and criminal behavior. Let’s really take a close look at the options for Mayweather as the boxer and well, the retired boxer.
Yes, boxing fans, I said it. But it’s not laced with anything malicious. Mayweather has retired once before in his career. This is all a recollection for me. He’s been on Dancing with the Stars. He’s had a stint on WWE or something? In 2009, after his 2 years off, Mayweather came back and he agreed to fight against Mexican champ Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather defeated Marquez in a 12 round UD. He didn’t knock Marquez out, but did get a knockdown in the 2nd round. It’s not a bad option for Mayweather to consider retirement AGAIN – and a comeback. He’s done it before and given that fighters always seek re-invention in one form or another, it’s a possibility he can consider.
As his Facebook shows he likes to gamble, watch sports, spend time with his kids, and it seems, according to TMZ, other criminal type activities, Mayweather should maybe develop a reality television series or two. He could develop a “Meet the Mayweathers” series or even something similar to “The Contender.”
I personally wouldn’t watch the “Meet the Mayweathers” show, but would tune in to the “The Contender.” Think about it, he can have a boxing tournament similar to the “The Ultimate Fighter” where one boxer emerges to fight against “Money” Mayweather himself with the stakes being he’d give his portion of his winnings to the fighter. Both fighters of the tournament would get signed by Mayweather Promotions and have their training expenses reimbursed by Mayweather. Stranger things have happened in boxing. Look at the Curse of the Super Six Middleweight tournament. Look at the results of the Bantamweight tournament (Darchinyan loses?).
Boxing fans are getting amped by mixing up the boxing format.
Again, in all seriousness, I still find myself interested in Mayweather as a fighter. With Mayweather’s media portrayal as the bad boy of boxing, anyone fighting against him will be placed as the good boxer. It’s a contrast in personality, attitude, and boxing style. So, if Mayweather decides that retirement and reality television show development are NOT definitive options, he has some potential opponents. Yes, Pacquiao is on the list.
Hero to Haiti Andre Berto would be a competitive match for Mayweather. As the current WBC Welterweight titleholder, Berto, boxer turned humanitarian, returned to the ring on November 27 and defeated Freddy Hernandez, with a 1st round TKO. Berto connected solidly and Hernandez never found his legs. It was the fifth title defense for Berto and a rather convincing title defense that the time away from the ring didn’t affect him at all. Berto is a shorter, but stronger fighter with definite power.
As I checked rankings in the welterweight division, I actually do like the look of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez who currently ranks #4 behind Berto. In 2010, Alvarez’s started his year with a bout at welterweight against Brian Camechis and he defeated him with a 3rd round KO for NABF Welterweight title. Following this one welterweight bout, Canelo went on to fight four more times – all at light middleweight. In May, he fought against Jose Miguel Cotto and defeated him with a 9th round TKO. Two months later, he fought against Luciano Leonel Cuello and earned a 6th round win with a TKO and also became the WBC Silver Light Middleweight titleholder.
In his first defense in September, he defeated Carlos Baldomir with a 6th round KO. Finally, Canelo successfully defended his title for a second time and ended his 2010 fight year with a 12 round UD over Lovemore N’Dou. On first observation, Canelo takes his time getting started in the early rounds, but as he settles down, manages to connect with some great combinations. But he’s still a relatively young fighter at 20.
Need I even mention the final opponent possibility? Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. The two just need to fight one another. Enough said, I think. Well, a closing thought sort of. Should the fight happen? Yes. There is great appeal here – a great buildup of suspense. Good money. No losers here. Now, enough said.
However, I will give credit to Mayweather. Although having a Facebook page showing the excess of success, Money Mayweather still manages to draw us in. Mayweather is a boxer and his antics outside of the ring really amounts to just boredom. In the ring, Mayweather has shown flashes of brilliance and a boxer’s confidence. There is simply so much more he should be doing with his talent and final stage of his career. Mayweather says that he still trains and in his episodes of 24/7, he does not allow his sparring sessions to be filmed which I always found intriguing. And, a little mystery never hurt anyone.
If this is the case, Mayweather is doing exactly what he does because he can. No matter what, boxing fans and haters alike will continue to watch what he does, tune in, hate him, criticize, judge and maybe even cheer for him. But I’m hoping it won’t be because of a reality TV show, I’d just as soon see him in the ring and have people take notice for what got him notoriety in the first place – his boxing.