"Maybe...A Blessing In Disguise"

INSIDE BOXING
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-January 12, 2009) Now that the Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO's) vs Joshua Clottey (35-3-0-1, 20 KO's) fight has been finalized for March 13, 2009 at the Dallas Cowboys owned stadium, all that's left is for boxing fans to decide who Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (40-0, 25KO's) would consider a legitimate opponent for his own anticipated match.

There currently seems to be much buzz that "Money" Mayweather will be fighting Nate Campbell (33-5-1-1, 25 KO's) sometime in March or April of 2009. This idea is just speculation but seems to be the much safer route for Mayweather, Jr. than the one taken by Pacquiao vs Clottey.

In Nate Campbell's' last fight, against Timothy Bradley, a cut over and behind Campbell's' left eye forced him to come to the conclusion he could not continue.  Bradley was awarded a TKO victory but after debating the issue, The California State Athletic Commission declared the fight a draw.

This brings into question why not a Mayweather vs Bradley fight? Wouldn't Timothy Bradley seem to be the logical and obvious opponent between the two? There is no logic when it comes to boxing presently.

At the top of the list of qualified and deserving challengers for Mayweather, Jr. to go after we have:

1) Paul Williams--(38-1, 27 KO's).  This 29 years old, 6'1" American fighter is a former two-time WBO welterweight champion that Mayweather will NEVER take on. Properly named "the most avoided fighter in the world", Williams' southpaw (left-handed) stance along with his height, boxing skill and punching power makes him the obvious choice as the main fighter Floyd Mayweather, Jr. must avoid. Too dangerous. 

2) Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KO's). This 39 years old former Olympian, world champion and current top contender in the welterweight and junior middleweight divisions would seem an easy target for Mayweather, Jr., but for some odd reason Mayweather, Jr. continues to be unwilling to grant Mosley the many times over requested fight. The future hall-of-famer Mosley has a resume that includes victories over Oscar de la hoya, Fernando Vargas and Ricardo Mayorga. The boxing skills, ring savvy, hand speed and experience of Shane Mosley, have Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (and rightfully so) concerned to the point where this fight will probably not happen. Too dangerous.

The two above named warriors were quickly eliminated by Team Mayweather for obvious reasons.
Much too tough to handle and very capable of being the first to defeat him, Mayweather, Jr. will duck these two as either could easily ruin his ever dimming chance of meeting Manny Pacquiao.

There are several other opponents for the still "fresh out of retirement" Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to go after should he decide to validate his claim of "I aint duckin nobody". There are numerous talented welterweights that beg to differ and would gladly accommodate an offer to fight with very few issues to hammer out.

The problem is that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. feels he has garnered the status of SUPERSTAR and no longer has to battle any and all contenders. He feels his celebrity will allow him to handpick opponents (glaringly smaller in stature) that offer no serious threat to knock that "0" from his resume.

Should the opportunity ever be afforded us, boxing fans, to determine who the best welterweights in the world are by proving it in the ring, I've compiled my own list of fighters that would more than adequately represent themselves against Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Remember, this is just a list of viable opponents that Team Mayweather will NEVER consider as options.
These guys are out there...hungry, capable and most of all TOO DANGEROUS!

3) Sergio Martinez--(44-2-2, 24 KO's). This 34 years old Argentinean is a formidable opponent for anyone in the welterweight to junior middleweight division. Martinez gave as much as he took in previous battles against Kermit Cintron, Antonio Margarito and Paul Williams.  He's much too dangerous for Mayweather.

4) Luis Collazo--(29-4, 13 KO's). This 29 years old Puerto Rican is another tough former WBA welterweight champion that is available. Collazo was in position to derail the HBO "golden boy" (Andre Berto) but that decision ended up in the hands of the judges and...well, you can arrive at your own conclusion.
Collazo proves too dangerous for Mayweather.

5) Kermit Cintron--(32-2-1, 28 KO's). This 30 years old native of Puerto Rico is considered one of the toughest boxers around. His parents had both died by time he was 13 years of age and Cintron developed a hard-nosed attitude in both boxing and wrestling. Preferring to take the boxing route, Cintron has had numerous battles in the ring against rugged opponents such as Teddy Reid, Sergio Martinez and Antonio Margarito. He's much too dangerous for Mayweather, Jr.

In the same category as Nate Campbell we have: 26 years old Tim Bradley (24-0-0-1, 11 KO's) and soon to be 23 years old southpaw Devon Alexander (19-0, 12 KO's).

These two are still  young and should probably not yet be considered on the upper rung of welterweights,  but they do offer somewhat of a competitive option.

Nate Campbell is currently promoted by Don King. Yes, the same Don King that Oscar de la hoya of Golden Boy Productions allegedly decided there was no place for in the sport of boxing. De la hoya has in the past referred to Don King as a "crook who is bad for boxing" and vowed to rid the sport of King and all like him.

Are these two, Golden Boy Productions and Don King Productions, now in bed together?

The POSSIBILITY is there, but the PROBABILITY is that these two form a united front and the "odd man out" (Bob Arum and Top Rank) could face disaster in future fight negotiations. Golden Boy Productions apparently would rather do business with Don King than Bob Arum with the sole purpose of alienating Top Rank and Bob Arum the promotions business.   

Don King has a somewhat ironic and dubious role in these backroom negotiations that have recently come to light. We have heard very little from Don King now that the heavyweight division is spinning in mediocrity. So why now would he get a call from Oscar de la hoya of Golden Boy Productions?

Just when do you think Oscar de la hoya decided to "let bygones be bygones" and pick up the phone to call King? Maybe when he realized the mediation process regarding the Pacquiao was fruitless, the wheels of Golden Boy Productions had begun to spun in motion and there was no alternative but Mr. Don King?

There will probably be much banter between Oscar de la hoya and Bob Arum in the coming weeks. But if you carefully read between the lines, you will see that there is really only one "fly in the soup" and that is obviously Oscar de la hoya and Golden Boy Productions.

Don King of Don King Productions and Oscar de la hoya of Golden Boy Productions doing business together again can only be perceived as one thing..."ONLY IN AMERICA"!

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