Photo by Esther Lin
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (47-0, 26 KOs) is coming off only the second rematch of his storied career. Last Saturday night the pound-for-pound king won a unanimous decision over Marcos Maidana.
The 37-year-old Mayweather has a list of accomplishments as long as the line at the DMV.
He has won world titles in five different weight divisions ranging from 130 pounds to 154 pounds and has won multiple “Fighter of the Year” awards.
He has beaten world class fighters like Jose Luis Castillo, Ricky Hatton, Diego Corrales, Miguel Cotto, Genaro Hernandez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, and Arturo Gatti.
As “Money” would quickly tell you, no one has been able to crack the “May-Vinci” code.
Mayweather is in the twilight of his career and rapidly approaching the end of the road as a fighter.
Water cooler discussions are commonplace by both the fringe fan and the hard core enthusiast in boxing. Fight fans we have long debated a variety of topics including would Marciano have beaten Ali? How about Tyson vs. Ali? Did Leonard really beat Hagler?
Now, a new question has been added to the list. Is Mayweather the best ever?
Mayweather has two fights remaining on his contract with Showtime/CBS. He is on record saying that he wants to fight twice next year, in May and later in the Fall, and then it’s on to retirement and promotional work with Mayweather Promotions.
So, that begs the question, who will Mayweather’s final two opponents be?
I envision a short list, a very short list, of possible opponents for the undefeated champion. The three names on that list include Keith Thurman, Amir Khan and of course, Manny Pacquiao.
Keith “One Time” Thurman
Photo by Esther Lin
Let’s start with the youngest of the three, the undefeated 25 year old, Keith “One-Time” Thurman.
Boxing fans know Thurman (23-0-1 NC, 21 KOs) as a fighter with a solid amateur pedigree. He is skilled, quick and has knockout power in both hands. What Thurman will struggle with is that he does not yet have a “household name” that will help attract massive pay-per-view buys and draw the big money. Can a Mayweather-Thurman fight capture the outlier boxing fan?
It’s also significant to ask if Floyd Mayweather would consider fighting a man 12 years younger than him?
One could easily argue that Mayweather clearly has the edge in experience. Although he moved well against Maidana in the rematch and his legs looked good, I’m not convinced Mayweather wants a dangerous young lion who doesn’t yet carry strong name recognition. It’s risk versus reward.
Amir “King” Khan
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Golden Boy/Golden Boy via Getty Images
The second fighter on my short list is Amir “King” Khan (29-3, 19 KOs). Khan, 27, was widely discussed as a possible opponent prior to both the Marcos Maidana fights.
After seeing Carl Froch and George Groves fill Wembley Stadium in May, dollar signs must be dancing through the heads of The Money Team.
From a promotional standpoint, it may be a perfect fit. Khan, who was born, raised and lives in England, would of course love a shot at Mayweather. They would have no problem putting 80,000 plus fans in Wembley Stadium. Khan does have first class skills and terrific hand speed. His biggest weakness is a suspect chin.
Add to the recipe that Mayweather has recently touched on possible changes to his team in 2015. He also made some comments that many found disparaging relating to domestic abuse so maybe now is a good time for Mayweather to take his show on the road. Khan may be the perfect anecdote.
Manny Pacquiao
The third fighter on my short list is the one everyone has been talking about for years, Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs) has the total package. He matches up well with Floyd Mayweather’s experience, skills and drawing power. This matchup captures the imagination of most boxing fans, fringe and die hard.
Pacquiao, 35, has won titles in eight different weight divisions and has earned multiple “Fighter of the Year” awards as well.
He too has fought the best, beating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.
I have recently found myself theorizing the following equation; what if Mayweather, who will be 38 in February, will fight those last two fights without fighting Pacquiao?
Should he win those fights he ties the great Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record. He then becomes a free agent to fight where he wants and when he wants. Does he then end his career against Pacman?
That fight stands poised to gross more money than any other fight in history and provides an opportunity for Floyd to put a resounding stamp on his career.
The jury is still out on whether any fighter will be able to hand Mayweather a loss. Speaking solely as a lifetime boxing fan, I would settle for seeing him keenly tested while on the edge of my seat if and when it happens.
