No Oscar? No Problem, Floyd has many options
 By Aaron Imholte (June 22, 2006)
It was going to be the old ‘Golden Boy’ versus the pound-for-pound champ in a mega-showdown of historic proportions, albeit for an alphabet belt at 154. Both Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. could have made eight-figure paydays if this fight had gone off. Now with reports coming out of De La Hoya deciding not to fight the Pretty Boy boxing fans are left with a somewhat sour taste in their collective mouths.
Why does this have to be all bad news? Why can’t we spin this and make it bittersweet? Well that is what I’m here for, Mr. Positive; there is not a drop of cynicism in this guy. (And cue the sarcasm alarm.) On a serious note the evaporation of the De La Hoya-Mayweather Jr. blockbuster is actually quite thought provoking. Sure, neither man will be able to build onto already impressive legacies courtesy of the other, but for one pugilist, Mayweather, it is an opportunity to clean out a division and make his own mark on history. Here is a look at the now many doors open to Floyd as a result of Oscar’s decision to not make this fight.
Vs. Miguel Cotto: We never got too see the American Shane Mosely take on Puerto Rican sensation Felix Trinidad and we should not miss the same opportunity twice. After Miguel Cotto made the very game Paul Malignaggi’s face look damn near unrecognizable to even his own family, the excitement and expectations surrounding this guy, which have been building to huge proportions, may have boiled over in Madison Square Garden earlier this month. With a move to 147 almost necessary for Cotto’s body, a fight with Mayweather would be very exciting. Given Cotto’s popularity in New York’s Puerto Rican population, Floyd could stand to make a 10-million dollar payday for this fight. Result: Mayweather UD 116-112.
Vs. Ricky Hatton: The American-English showdown between Mayweather and Ricky Hatton has been hyped since Ricky Hatton out muscled and outworked Kostya Tszyu. Granted the fight has been put on the back burner due to Hatton’s struggle against Luis Collazo, it is the contrast of styles that make this bout so intriguing. Hatton, a straight forward pressure fighter who throws a lot of punches inside, could possibly give Floyd more problems than he can handle. Think his first fight with Jose Luis Castillo, 12 pounds heavier.
Or can Floyd make adjustments like he did in the rematch with Castillo and create enough distance between himself and the ‘Hitman’ and cruise to a victory on points. No matter what identity this fight takes one thing is certain, this fight makes mega-dollars and sense whether it be Vegas or Manchester. Result: Mayweather MD.
Vs. Paul Williams (late 2007): Mayweather may be faster, slicker, and a better technical boxer, but don’t tell me anyone who started their career at 130 wouldn’t struggle against a welterweight who stands six feet tall.
‘The Punisher’ is not only tall, is not only good at keeping his distance, but he can also throw 100 punches per round on
a consistent basis as we saw against Walter Dario Matthysse. Floyd’s technical advantages and boxing smarts would be tested to their limits against a busy, tall, and young fighter who would be more than eager to knock off a superstar. This is not too say that Floyd is inferior to Williams in any department, but this is not Diego Corrales all over again. Corrales is rarely interested in using his height to keep opponents away, and how will Mayweather react when he has to be the aggressor, coming inside avoiding quick combinations at a rate of almost 35 punches per minute. Give Williams a few more fights against top level opposition and by the middle of 2007 this fight can be promoted properly into a Leonard-Hearns-esque fight of the 2000’s. Result: I give Williams a chance to pull off the upset.
Vs. Antonio Margarito: Mayweather already turned down eight million dollars to fight Tony in hopes to land a big money payday with De La Hoya. No Tony fans or Floyd haters... Floyd’s sole reason for turning it down was from fear of Margarito, and no ‘Pretty Boys’, Mayweather would not easily role over the tall slugger from Mexico. The ‘Tijuana Tornado’ might just touch down right on top of Floyd’s house and shatter that unbeaten record.
Margarito would apply pressure and his superior strength from the outset and really set a tempo that Mayweather would have trouble with. Several questions would be answered in this fight. Can Floyd take a punch from a big, strong 147 pounder? Can Tony rise to the occasion against A-level competition? Can Bob Arum scrounge up those 8 million dollars to make this fight happen? Result: In this scribes humble opinion the answers to these questions are respectively, I’m not so sure, probably, god I hope so. Margarito SD.
No matter what avenue Floyd takes as a result of Oscar’s decision, these fights need to happen, he should clean out welterweight or at least try, if for no other reason than to pad his checking account. Will we see a Mayweather itching to make history? Or a Mayweather determined to take the path of least resistance? Hopefully not the latter.
Short takes
I read a post as I was browsing the DHB message boards at it read ‘Taylor’s style Taylor-Made for Tito?’. If there is anyone seriously entertaining this thought let it go. Taylor does very well against people who stand in front of him and provide little defense. It would be Taylor’s show for as long as it lasted… Edwin Valero is fighting for the WBA super featherweight title August 5th. Can we please let him back in this country to fight after he KO’s Vicente Mosquera... Samuel Peter will be countered to death by James Toney if ‘Lights Out’ loses some weight. Don’t make this fight for the fall… I kind of wish Vitali Klitschko would come back, weird huh?... Don King and Zab Judah reportedly got in a little tussle a week or so ago. King is fine but thousands of dollars worth of work will need to be done to hang another chandelier from Zab’s chin.
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