New York, NY– Floyd Mayweather (40-0 25 KOs) has returned to the sport with brilliance. Totally unaffected by his self-imposed 21-month layoff, he was able to shutout #2 P4P pugilist, Juan Manuel Marquez (50-5-1 37 KOs) as if it was sparring practice, knocking Marquez down in the second round while continuing to box circles around him until the final bell. It was an impresario performance for Mayweather and the weight likely had little to do with the outcome. The remaining elite fighters that are left are clamoring to land a fight with “Money” and they’ll get just that if the land a bout. It appears just a matter of timing and economics to determine who will get a shot first.
WAS MOSLEY DESPERATE OR OVERZEALOUS?
When the bout was over, HBO’s Max Kellerman spoke with Mayweather and ran through a list of questions. One included the possibility of squaring off against Shane Mosley. And almost like a scene out of a Rocky movie, Shane appeared in the ring instantaneously to address the question head on. When asked if he would fight Floyd, Mosley grabbed the microphone and practically begged Mayweather for a fight. It was as bold a gesture as the recent Kanye West incident at the VMA’s a fortnight ago. Mayweather was angered by Mosley’s aggressiveness stating, “For him to come steal my moment, he must be desperate.” Golden Boy partner Bernard Hopkins was also heard screaming, “This is the man you need to fight!” almost as if it were the last chance to convince Mayweather of a showdown with Mosley. Mosley has not inked a match up for the rest of the year and it’s likely at 38 he is looking for a big bout soon, knowing his time and opportunities may be running out.
ARE PACMAN & ROACH NOW A LITTLE ANTSY?
Although the Manny Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight is the one everyone wants to see, it has to be just a little unnerving that Mayweather easily toyed with Marquez for 12 rounds, winning every one of them with very little resistance. Most experts don’t believe Pacquiao deserved the nod against Marquez, while nothing in the same ballpark or universe could be said about the Marquez’s fight with Mayweather Saturday night. Of course Pac still has a big fish to fry in facing Miguel Cotto in November, and although he likely can win there are no guarantees in the sport of boxing so he’ll have plenty of time to think it through.
IS “MYTHICAL” P4P STATUS IN QUESTION?
Although Mayweather has not appeared on any of the major P4P lists since the announcement of his return it should be interesting to see where he is ranked in the upcoming weeks. How can he not be at the top if he easily out boxed the #2 pound for pound fighter in 12 rounds? On paper the current P4P champ Manny Pacquiao only has a one round advantage in 24 rounds with Marquez? Needless to say, you would have to really dislike Mayweather if you don’t think he’s the best athlete the sport has to offer. With that said, seeing is believing, so match-ups with Mosley and Pacquiao await as eager fans anticipate “Money” Mayweather’s next assignment.
Jarrad Woods