Re: Alot of PBF/ODHL News
Forget Money Floyd, chase greatness!
By Ian Keogh (Nov 16, 2006)
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After easily defeating Carlos Baldomir November 4th in Las Vegas a tearful eyed Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced to the gathered media it was "one and done". One more fight and retirement, the stroll into the sunset to enjoy his riches. In fairness to Mayweather Jr. maybe he will call it a career, maybe he's truly had enough of boxing. I for one don't believe that's the case. Mayweather Jr. is closing in on a mega fight with the pay-per-view champion of boxing, Oscar De La Hoya. Mayweather Jr. knows a fight with De La Hoya means huge money, more then he's ever made as well as exposure, precious exposure. Mayweather Jr. has stated that he's the greatest fighter of all time and if he truly believes this fighting De La Hoya isn't necessary. Will it make him a lot of money? Of course. Will it put him out there, will the everyday sports fan know who he is? Probably. Will it make him the greatest fighter of all time? Absolutely not.
While De La Hoya will bring in big money he won't bring Mayweather Jr. to the promise land of being all time great. Oscar De La Hoya hasn't really been a pro boxer in years. In May 2007 it will be a full year since his last fight and only the second fight in nearly three years. Not exactly the resume of a pro fighter. So why should Mayweather Jr. turn away from the big money Oscar could bring him? Easy, to become great. To have his name mentioned with Robinson, Ali,
Leonard and Duran. If Mayweather Jr. does indeed fight De La Hoya next year and win what would that really prove? We already know he's good. But what if Mayweather Jr. decided to take the road less travelled? What if he said to himself "I'm gonna take the toughest fights and prove to the critics and doubters that I'm truly the greatest". There are more attractive fights to be made for Mayweather Jr. then De La Hoya. England's Ricky Hatton, the universally recognized super lightweight champion of the world. At 41-0 and a major ticket seller in the U.K this could be a huge fight for Mayweather Jr. both financially and historically. What if Floyd decided to take his talents to Manchester, to Old Trafford in front of 40,000+ people and beat Hatton? It would be a huge step towards greatness. He would have beaten a fellow undefeated champion in his home country and more importantly he'd be the junior welterweight and welterweight world champion.
Let's not stop at Hatton though, there are plenty of fighters in their prime that Mayweather Jr. could tackle for less money then De La Hoya but more praise from the people. After all, isn't that what it's about? Isn't he looking to be remembered as the greatest? The people will be the ones who remember you, Floyd. In all likelihood Winky Wright won't bring a $10 million+ payday, but beating Wright – who’s at worst the #3 pound-for-pound world – would further Mayweather Jr's claim to being an all time great. Wright is bigger and stronger then Mayweather and his skills aren't all that far behind. He's a middleweight currently but has said he'd make 154 for a Mayweather fight. If Mayweather Jr. took on Wright and won he'd have gained every boxing fan's respect and praise as the #1 fighter today pound-for-pound. Period. What about the undefeated Miguel Cotto? Cotto who'll make the jump to welterweight this December against the skilled but rather unproven Carlos Quintana probably couldn't have timed his ascension any better. Should he beat Quintana he'll definitely be a challenge worth talking for Mayweather Jr. Again, he might not bring De La Hoya money but a win over the young undefeated Puerto Rican adds much needed respect to Mayweather Jr's resume. There are other fighters who Floyd can fight that won't make him De La Hoya rich but will generate the talk needed by fans to give you the moniker of all time great. Antonio Margarito, the WBO welterweight champion is practically dying for a big fight and his combination of size and strength could give Mayweather Jr. trouble, or at the very least a challenge. Kermit Cintron, the recently crown IBF welterweight titlist would hold considerable physical advantages over the naturally smaller Mayweather Jr.
I can go on and on about young, talented fighters who'll make Mayweather Jr's resume shine more but if he isn't interested in his resume looking sexier then his bank account is there any point? Fighting De La Hoya will make you very wealthy, Floyd, but then what? We expect you to beat him, he's half way out the retirement door himself. Beating your peers, young, strong and undefeated like yourself will build undeniable respect and admiration from the fans. After all, the fans won't remember or care how much money you made. They'll look at your resume and see who you fought and who you beat. Win or lose, challenge yourself. Does anyone fault the great Roberto Duran for losing to Marvin Hagler? Of course not, he's applauded for facing the best middleweight of his era despite starting his career around featherweight. Is Bob Foster frowned upon for losing to Frazier or Ali? No. He's remembered as a vicious light heavyweight champion who could end your evening with one stretch of his arm. The report is the fight is signed and sealed for May 5th, 2007. A shame in my eyes. This fight will bring a lot of needed publicity to boxing but it won't bring Mayweather Jr. any closer to all time great status and that's priceless.
Quick hits
- If HBO expected Mayweather Jr's fight with Baldomir to sell well with that undercard they need to give their heads a shake.
- Let's pray that both Morales and Pacquiao make 130 lbs on their first attempts and treat us to another terrific battle.
- Rumour has it that Joe Calzaghe will defend his titles against American, Peter Manfredo in March 2007. If true, Calzaghe will have effectively pissed away any momentum he built with his dominant win over Jeff Lacy this past March. For shame, Joe
Re: Alot of PBF/ODHL News
Floyd Mayweather Jr disses his Father
By DHB (Nov 16, 2006) Photo © German Villasenor
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Now that Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr., have reached an agreement to fight one another on May 5, 2007, the battle of the words has started. In a recent article by David Mayo in The Grand Rapids Press, Floyd Mayweather Jr., makes it clear that he is happy his father, Mayweather Sr., (De La Hoya's trainer) didn't teach him every thing he knows.
In Mayo's article, Mayweather Jr. contends that his father, who had professional record of 28-6-1, never reached his
level because he was a slap-puncher, and couldn't duck. Mayweather also feels that his own skills are honed beyond his father's teachings.
Quoted in the Grand Rapids Press, Mayweather Jr., said: "My father has said he taught me everything I know, but he didn't teach me everything he knows."
Mayweather Jr. then went on to diss his father, saying: "I'm glad he didn't teach me everything he knows, because my record might be 28-6-1."
Source of Quotes: David Mayo, Grand Rapids Press
Re: Alot of PBF/ODHL News
Mayweather Sr says Son will get a Spanking and is scared
By DHB (Nov 15, 2006) Photo ©
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Now that a deal between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr has been finalized, there is one deal that hasn't been reached. De La Hoya and his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. have yet to make it official that Mayweather Sr., will be in the corner of De La Hoya. Mayweather Sr wants $2 million dollars to train De La Hoya in his upcoming match against his son, Mayweather Jr.
Mayweather Sr feels he will be a huge factor in the fight and training De La Hoya will mess with his son's head.
Quoted by David Mayo in The Grand Rapids Press, Mayweather Sr. said: "Little Floyd is scared right now, and he'll be scared all the way up until the day of the fight, especially with his daddy in the opposite corner."
Mayweather Sr. added. "That's really going to (mess) with his head, you watch. The only thing that would make it different is if my terms aren't met, and I'm not in the corner. But otherwise, his daddy's got something for him -- a spanking."
Sour of Quotes: David Mayo, Grand Rapids Press
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