Mayweather and Hatton: What's Next?


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Mayweather and Hatton: What's Next?

By Dan Horgan at ringside (Dec 10, 2007) Doghouse Boxing (Photo © German Villasenor)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. likes to flash his cash, "make it rain" on HBO cameras, and dwarf opponents. According to Mayweather's statements following his 10th round TKO of Brit Ricky Hatton on Saturday, the pound for pound king will give up the latter two interests -- at least for a long time.

"I want to retire from boxing; I don't want boxing to retire me," said Mayweather in a post fight interview.

If Mayweather sticks true to his word, he won't be back in the ring until at least 2010, and he may be done for good.

Yeah right.

Mayweather, now 39-0 with 25 KO's, won't give up the sport he loves. The welterweight kingpin simply enjoys his lifestyle too much.

Without an active mega talent, Mayweather will be just another rich guy with a lot of cool toys. The immense respect he has from both the sports world and the hip-hop community will dwindle, and he'll be itching to get back in the spotlight in no time. Don't be surprised to see Mayweather fighting before the end of 2008.

But even with that being said, Mayweather does deserve a nice long rest. The 30 year old thrashed Hatton (43-1, 31 KO's) with a stiff jab and straight right hand. Although Hatton -- who was caught by Mayweather's punches coming in

-- was competitive throughout the ten round contest, Mayweather evinced once again that his speed and skills are too much to handle for any fighter moving up to fight him.

The Hatton win certainly marks a career best victory for Mayweather, but if "Pretty Boy" wants to go down as the greatest of all time, he'll need to wipe out today's top welterweights. Paul Williams, Miguel Cotto, and Kermit Cintron are all waiting to throw down with Mayweather on a big stage, and if Mayweather steps up, the fights won't be difficult to make happen. Fight fans can only hope that Mayweather takes on the career defining challenges.

Hatton, 29, put his heart and soul into the Mayweather fight. Although he came up on the losing end, he proved that he belongs amongst the world's top pound for pounders with his ferocious style. He put effective pressure on Mayweather in the early rounds, and he was competitive until the very end. Expect him to take on Oscar De La Hoya in May, possibly in the UK.

Side note: Hatton's fans took their exploits too far on Saturday night. Their booing of the American national anthem was completely uncalled for and disrespectful. It's one thing to disrespect an opposing fighter; it's another to disrespect an entire nation.

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Dan at: danhorgan2@gmail.com
Dan's archives at: www.myspace.com/danhorganboxing