OnThEGRiND BoXiNG

Monday April 20th, 2009
by Jesse Rican

Yes folks, I’m just as excited as all of you Mayweather fans that love the trash talking…followed by a boring fight (unless forced into a good fight by an aggressive boxer), from the undefeated fighter with a record of 39-0. Which by the way, should have one loss on it via Jose Luis Castillo…and yes it bears repeating, every time Mayweather’s undefeated record is brought up. I will continue to bring up this match because it showed that the beloved Mayweather can be beat, and has indeed been beat already!

I’m not denying the fact that he is great, but I’ll be damned if they have him go down as the greatest.

His career thus far has consisted of a few impressive victories and avoided fights, but now Floyd has made the ultimate mistake, a mistake that many others who have come before him have made, and many after him will make make again… he came back!

Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton created high hopes in a segment of the boxing public who warmed to the chances of the Manchester native taking him out, especially after his memorable post fights comments about Floyd (following his match prior to the Mayweather bout), “In these four rounds, you got more value for your money than Floyd gave you his whole career.”

Wow! Them be fighting words!

It didn’t quite go down as hoped though, and that particular night Floyd proved he had his own plans for “The Hitman.” Mayweather made Hatton eat his words (much like De La Hoya did Vargas) with a classic KO and then he wisely retired, because he lost the love for his job (yet Champions like Carl Froch who continue to compete, get heat amongst the hardcore boxing community for not being a boxing fan). Mayweather fans everywhere were relieved, because their beloved Floyd would not be touched, and his “undefeated” record would remain intact.

Now here we are approaching mid-year 2009 and we hear he’s coming back, of course to make more money…but also to prove himself once again (LOL).

If he does take a fight against Manny Pacquiao it’s a cop out, and an easy victory for “Money” Mayweather. Not to worry though, Pacquiao will lose to Hatton and that will quickly put an end to all of that talk.

After great victories over (the recently injured) Zab Judah, De La Hoya, and Hatton…I say that he should fight four more names in order to prove he is exactly what he says he is, the best boxer out.

The names?

Now that Marga-cheato is out of the picture, first should come the most feared man in boxing, Paul “The Punisher” Williams. The lanky multi division threat will be a test for the ages, especially considering Paul’s offense and Floyd’s defense. What better way is there to prove he has the best defense of all time?

Giving Floyd the benefit of the doubt, let’s say that the “Pretty Boy” does somehow manage to prove that to us, how about giving us the next match against the Pride of Puerto Rico Miguel “Angel” Cotto. Sorry, but Floyd will lose this one, but lets say somehow he does beat him… padded gloves, judges screwing him over, etc.

[Editor's Note: Jesse, you are destroying what little credibility we have around here]

The next ideal opponent in my opinion many might not agree with, but I’d choose Luis Collazo. Reason being, the best always lose to an unexpected opponent ( Quintana, Rahman, Buster Douglas, etc), and lets not forget Collazo got robbed from victories over both Ricky Hatton and Andre Berto. He deserves his shot, and it may be that Collazo can fight the kind of fight to one must in order to beat Mayweather.

Let’s say he makes it through these three tremendous tests, even though i have him losing the first one…enter: Sugar Shane Mosley. Wow! What a fight that would be, With Shane’s trademark speed and impressive victories over both Antonio Margarito and Ricardo Mayorga, and his tendency to go toe to toe with some of the best when he faces them, he makes the ideal Mayweather adversary. Mosley is one of a rare breed of fighters, along with Bernard Hopkins who has proved himself to better with age,

If Floyd beats these four men he can retire and be considered the greatest.

To Floyd Mayweather Jr:…Thank you Floyd for returning for a loss (unless you go against Pacquiao), and next time ask Calzaghe to come with you so i can throw a few names his way too.