Floyd Mayweather Jr's Early Christmas Gift

Floyd Mayweather Jr's Early Christmas Gift

By Eric Marks (July 1, 2007) Doghouse Boxing

Not surprising, Floyd Mayweather’s retirement looks to be short-lived, as he and Ricky Hatton appear ready to do battle sometime in the fall. Hatton must be respected for his heart in the ring and seeming desire to fight the best. That being said, this match-up must have ‘Pretty Boy’ salivating like a kid in a candy store.

Most would concur that despite Hatton’s strengths, he is not in the same league as Floyd particularly at welterweight, the likely division in which the fight will occur; but the fight features two contrasting styles and undefeated fighters in their prime

, making it an intriguing fight for fans and a no-brainer for Mayweather.

Hatton’s aggressive style of fighting, one in which he often bullies his opponents is likely to run into a roadblock against the wizardry of Mayweather. Floyd should have little difficulty moving in and out, picking his shots en-route to a unanimous decision or quite possibly a knockout if he takes some risks, an apparent oxymoron when discussing Mayweather’s fighting style.

Mayweather’s fight against Goldie makes it tough to pick on him for not taking challenges and claim he has not beat anybody worth mentioning. But why does it appear that Floyd will fight Ricky Hatton next instead of Sugar Shane Mosley? Outside a rematch with Goldie, Mosley would be Floyd’s greatest payday and raise his stock the most in terms of history. Rest assured that despite Mayweather's rhetoric, he respects Mosley’s speed, endurance, and overall skill enough to know that a fight with Hatton would still be lucrative and further his reputation while minimizing the likelihood of losing his first fight, something many feel Sugar Shane could potentially hand Mayweather. Why then should 'Pretty Boy' fight Mosley in a high risk fight when a smaller and less skilled fighter is available, one that will provide a great payday posing significantly less risk than a fight with Mosley?

Furthermore, Hatton is a big enough boxing star that fans will gain additional respect for Floyd by his taking a fight against

a guy who is considered one of the best in the game right now. Fan adoration and/or simply being a people's champion may be important for Floyd at this stage of his career, something he gained by fighting Goldie and can build on in a fight with Hatton.

Thus, Floyd is making a very smart business decision by challenging Ricky Hatton, a guy whom he should handle without great difficulty. The payday, minimal risk, addition to his legend status, potential for a knockout, and respect of the fans, make a fight with Ricky Hatton just what the doctor ordered for 'Pretty Boy'.