Dogfight; Baldomir vs Mayweather
 By Coyote Duran and Anthony Cocks (Nov 4, 2006) Photo © German Villasenor
This Saturday night live on HBO pay-per-view World Welterweight Champion Carlos ‘Tata’ Baldomir defends his crown against pound-for-pound elite Floyd Mayweather Jr. Does Baldomir have what is takes to remove the zero from Mayweather’s impeccable record, of will the self-proclaimed world’s best cement his name in the history books with his third recognized world title in a third weight division?
Coyote Duran: Speed kills. Unlike many adages and clichés aplenty in Our Sport, ‘Speed kills’ is indeed canon when describing the likes of ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather Jr. When Mayweather enters the ring as the obvious betting favorite against World Welterweight Champion Carlos ‘Tata’ Baldomir, it’s undoubted that ‘Speed kills’ will be on almost every couch commentator’s lips come Saturday night.
The comparisons and differences between Mayweather, 36-0 (24), and Baldomir, 41-9-6 (13), are varied and many, with each and every one of them damn near tooting the horn of Floyd, whether scant or glaringly apparent. But what
shines above them all is, you guessed it, speed.
Compare both men’s recent performances. What makes Baldomir the favorite in his supporters’ eyes? His bullish determination? His titanium chin? Guiding light Amilcar Brusa? I’d have to say all those things and more. But can all those wonderful attributes get the ‘Argentinean Cinderella Man’ by against today’s consensus pound-for-pound king?
Unfortunately not. And I say ‘unfortunately’ with good reason.
Look, I’d love to see Carlos Baldomir score his biggest win ever, become ‘Fighter of the Year’ and secure his spot in Canastota’s hallowed halls at Mayweather’s expense. And this doesn’t mean I hate. This simply means that beating Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the ‘intangible’ career-maker for Baldomir. And if Baldomir can get close enough and is patient enough to break through that patented ‘slip and cover’ defense of Mayweather’s then, hey, there’s always that chance.
What makes the biggest difference is that speed. Combine that with a beautiful knack of keeping Baldomir on the outskirts of ‘Floydville’ and you’ve got a near-repeat of Mayweather’s thoroughly decisive World Lightweight title rematch win over Jose Luis Castillo almost four years ago. Not a knockout; just a good, honest decision win. Carlos wouldn’t let Floyd leave the Mandalay Bay with anything more.
But I will be prepared, Howlers. Should Carlos Baldomir buck my prediction and successfully defend The Ring magazine belt while snooching Floyd Mayweather Jr.‘s ‘0’, I’ll make sure I’ve got another ice-cold case o’ Red Stripe at the ready because I’ll be toasting Baldomir throughout the night and I’ll even throw back a couple for ‘Li’l’ Floyd’ for stepping up to The Man at 147.
I’ve got a feeling I’m gonna be right, though. Speed kills.
Anthony Cocks: Let’s be honest, it’s tough to argue the case for champion Carlos Baldomir to retain his world welterweight title against pound-for-pound stalwart Floyd Mayweather Jr this Saturday night.
While Baldomir was selling feather dusters on the streets of Santa Fein Argentina, Mayweather was being groomed for stardom by his boxing family and to this day the difference between the two fighters could not be more pronounced. Mayweather’s fleet of vehicles includes a Bentley GT, Ferrari, Rolls Royce Phantom, Maybach 62 and three Mercedes CL 65, all 2006 models. Baldomir drives a Nissan Frontier; Mayweather has 50 Cent, Ray J, Mary J, and Justin Timberlake on his iPod; Baldomir doesn’t know what an iPod is.
It’s fair to say that Baldomir is the hungrier fighter and if anyone in boxing deserves the underdog tag it’s Baldomir. The rugged Argentinean burst to prominence with his upset win over former world champion Zab Judah back in January of this year. The New York quicksilver controlled the bout until a hard right hand staggered Judah during the mid-rounds of the fight and Baldomir finished off the fight strong to win a close but deserved UD.
Judah of course miraculously parlayed his loss to Baldomir into a shot at Mayweather, again being competitive early before Mayweather gain the upper hand a few rounds in. Once aspect of the fight the stood out in the early going was Judah’s superior handspeed. While Mayweather has built a reputation for quick fists in the lighter divisions, he has slowed down noticeably as he’s moved up in weight. And Baldomir, despite being ridiculed for his deficit in this area, has displayed an ability to apply effective pressure against faster fighters like Judah. Baldomir’s footwork should also not be underestimated – when he hurt Judah in their match, Baldomir was all over him like a cheap suit before Judah knew what hit him.
Of course Mayweather is a whole ‘nother kettle of fish. Unlike Judah, he has shown a commitment to training and has never been rattled in a fight even when hit flush. It’s unlikely that he’ll lose his composure if hit clean by Baldomir, but the ballsy Argentinean is unlikely to let him off the hook easily either.
The key for Baldomir is simply: pressure, pressure, pressure. As the first career-welterweight that Mayweather has faced Baldomir needs to physically impose himself on Mayweather at every opportunity. If Baldomir can keep up a high punch rate and remember top rake the body as well the head he’s in with a running chance.
Can Baldomir win this fight? I’d like to think so. Am I betting on this fight? Not even with your money, pal.
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