State of Boxing 2008

[The Wind]

At first I thought it was a bad joke, then I thought no it’s just the media, but now it seems certain that De La Hoya Vs. Mayweather Jnr 2 will happen and most likely on Sep 20th 2008. Although it has not been finalised there is no reason for Mayweather Jnr to turn down his second biggest payday (the first fight with De La Hoya being his largest payday) to fight an older, less active De La Hoya. Risk v Reward – Mayweather is laughing and singing all the way to the bank.

Due to my continued love and passion for Sport and with Boxing being one of those sports I have never decided not to watch a ‘big fight’, I follow as much as I can but it’s extremely difficult to watch every single fight but I do my best. The sad state of affairs is that I will not be watching De La Hoya Vs. Mayweather Jnr 2 as in my opinion is takes the p**s out of true boxing fans. De La Hoya has done nothing to deserve a shot at Mayweather Jnr, its clear his number one interest now is being a boxing promoter. Although the first fight between these two, I admit raised intrigue, I can’t see how an older less active De La Hoya has any chance of beating Mayweather Jnr in a rematch, it’s just a money making exercise. In fact, if the fight is at Welterweight (which is what the rumours suggest) because we know De La Hoya has tended to fade away in latter rounds and because of the extra weight loss there is a possibility he could be stopped by Mayweather Jnr in the late rounds.

I truly respect Floyd Mayweather Jnr’s boxing skills and I don’t think he is a bad person, despite having a tendency of getting on my nerves from time to time, I think he has a good heart we just don’t hear about all the charity work he does etc, any way look at me getting all emotional. All the talk is to sell the fights and I wouldn’t change him as it makes for good TV, what really bothers me is when Pretty Boy claims to be an all time great, well prove it because that’s the only bit that does my head in, because he’s talking s**t.

Beating an old De La Hoya and defeating Hatton don’t do anything for me. In fact I am beginning to question whether he is the top pound for pound boxer at the moment. That brings me to the top two pound for pound spots currently occupied by Floyd Mayweather Jnr and then Manny Pacquiao. If Mayweather fights and beats De La Hoya and Pacquiao fights and beats Diaz what is the pound for pound list saying then?

I believe we are due for a slight shake up because if you look since 2005 Mayweather has fought and beat Brussells, Gatti, Michtell, Judah, Baldomir, De La Hoya and Hatton. Paqcuiao has fought and beat Morales 2 times (lost once followed by 2 ko’s) Valesquez, Larios, Solis, Barrera and Marquez. The key point here is Mayweather Jnr is going to fight De La Hoya again and Pacquiao is stepping up to Lightweight for the title against Diaz. I think at this point there should be a changing of the guard, certainly if Pacquiao beats Diaz.

I think there is far too much perceived impressions going on which is generated by the media and true boxing fans are being frustrated as we are not seeing what is real. I think a lot of the ‘powers that be’ are being sucked in!!

I think RING Magazine 'we are ledt believe' holds a lot of credibility, how long can they keep Mayweather Jnr on top of the pound for pound list for fighting De La Hoya twice and ignoring what Pacquiao is doing? Maybe a changing of the guard is what is needed and then Mayweather Jnr can fight Cotto and Margarito and have a chance to go back to the top, I don’t think anyone will disagree to him claiming the top spot then? Would they? Provided he beats them both, but for that to happen he has to fight them!!

Cotto Vs. Margarito will now happen and what a fight that will be. It’s absolutely clear that these three are the best Welters in the world right now so they all need to fight each other, and then again, if need be.

Mayweather is 31, Cotto 27 and Margarito is 30 for the following to happen this means a lot of boxing a lot of preparation and a tune up fight in between this could take 3-4 years to complete but at least we will have an indication as to who is the top dog and each fighter is representing a country with proud boxing heritage in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the US.

Cotto v Margarito

Margarito v Mayweather

Cotto v Mayweather

Could it be that Margarito beats Cotto, Mayweather beats Margarito and Cotto beats Mayweather..

I don’t buy into the whole “why should I fight guys for less money who I know I can beat” that’s just pricing yourself out of a fight. Boxing is what has made ‘Money Mayweather’! And don’t you forget that Pretty Boy!!!!

True greats like Hearns, Benitez, Leonard and Duran they all fought each other and again if they had to.

We as boxing fans have an opportunity to witness a great Welterweight era, as we did in the 80’s but if Mayweather can’t put up then he needs to shut up. I truly believe that Cotto has a better chance of beating Mayweather than Hatton and De La Hoya ever did. I also believe Margarito has a better chance than Hatton and De La Hoya ever did. These fights need to happen!!! And we as fight fans need to know and I don’t care who your guys is!!!

Just look at Barrera, Morales, Marquez and Pacquiao, they all fought each other (apart from Marquez v Morales) and those fighters will be remembered as never ducking anybody.

Fight fans, yes I know what your thinking Pacquiao v Amir Khan could happen and yes they could be in the same weight division for the short time anyway, at least until Khan goes up to Welter sooner or later but Pacquiao v Khan won’t happen, although Khan is the much bigger guy I can’t help but think the Khan management/promotion team will avoid this potential match up as I’m sure they don’t want Khan to find out the difference between the 'tough streets' of Bolton compared to the tough streets of General Santos Philipines.

Talking of match up’s well Cotto v Margarito is certainly one I’m looking forward to. Haven’t got a clue who will win, as both men are good enough to be victorious. If Mayweather decides he doesn’t want to fight the winner for what ever reason then I can see a re-match. However I do believe Mayweather will fight the winner, I think Mayweather is just trying to generate more interest and waiting for the right time and what better time than after the result of Cotto v Margarito

But I would say it is a must for Mayweather, Cotto and Margarito to fight each other. This includes the guy who loses the Cotto v Margarito fight. If De La Hoya who in his last six fights is 3-3 get’s a chance, not once but twice against Mayweather, then yes you see my point, whoever loses out of Cotto v Margarito still deserves a shot at Mayweather. It comes back to (Could it be that Margarito beats Cotto, Mayweather beats Margarito and Cotto beats Mayweather)

I watched the first Castilio v Mayweather fight during the weekend, Harold Ledderman’s card read 115-113 in favour of Castilio I also thought Castilio did just enough to win.

In my opinion Castilo won that fight but Mayweather gave a very good account of himself, I thought the ref did a good job to take a point of both guys Castilio for low blows and Mayweather for the elbow. I watched the Hatton fight again and although I never thought Hatton would ever stop Mayweather I did think he could at least take it to points. yes I thought the ref was bad and equally if you watch some of Mayweather tactics use of the forearm and turning his back ………..but Hatton was his own worst enemy, no head movement coming in, no jab and he allowed himself to get frustrated by the ref who I repeat was appalling.

If Mayweather fights Cotto or Maragrito I hope these tactics are nipped in the bud. Mayweather Jnr has enough skills to fight a fight rather than turning his back equally I believe both Cotto and Margarito have skills. If Mayweather turns his back, the ref should say "if you turn your back again I will presume you don’t want to fight and I will stop the fight because you don’t want to fight ok"?

Listen I’m not hating on Mayweather, not at all, I just want us boxing fans to get what we want and deserve some truly good meaningful match ups Mayweather Jnr could shut all the mouths up by beating Cotto and Margarito but then Cotto and Magarito might beat him, I think everyone will agree, let us find out even if Mayweather loses at least he had the balls to step in with his peers, he’ll get a lot more respect for his legacy by doing that rather than just talking the talk and not even attempting to walk the walk.

Can you feel The Wind!

[OumaFan]

I don't think anybody really likes the idea of Mayweather-De La Hoya 2 but there's no way Pacquaio beating David Diaz at 135 is a bigger accomplishment than beating Oscar. Sorry but I can't envision how anybody could think that.

[Pavlik]

Don't worry those top welter fights will take place. The fans are clamoring for it and the promoters will milk that for all it's worth.

[Violent Demise]

Hater

[leftylee]

I'm only giving you positive rep coz you took the time typing that up and your hating on Floyd, I like that.

[amat]

I agree OumaFan, Pacquiao beating Diaz really shouldn't mean anything. Diaz is about as middle of the road champion as you are ever going to get in boxing and he's never once impressed me. I think fighting Diaz is a waste of time I hate that fight just because there are so many better ones out there and Pac fans are making it out to be something special. I saw someone list that as a dream fight and I nearly threw up in my mouth. I couldn't be less interested in that one.

I don't see what the big deal is about Mayweather waiting a bit. First off, Cotto-Margarito is a better action fight then Floyd-Cotto/Margarito ever would be imo. And I still believe that Cotto-Mayweather will happen it's not like Mayweather-De La Hoya II prevents that.

[OumaFan]

Definitely I'm no Mayweather super fan and have criticized him a lot but if you think Pacquaio should be moved ahead of him in the P4P because he beat David Diaz while Floyd only beat ODLH then I have to think you are either a really big Pac fan or you really hate Floyd or both.

Or you're a really big David Diaz fan

[Macho]

Hey Wind , i will Rep you because you made a good read with sense , i liked it.....

[ICB]

You know what makes me laugh and i have said this time and time again, people were saying it was a massive risk for Floyd Mayweather Jr to step up and fight ODLH who weighed almost 1 stone heavier on fight night. When the fight was over most people enjoyed it and see it as a close fight, i personally didn't see it that way but quite a few people did want to see a rematch. Now its considered a "Joke fight" i just don't understand people sometimes i really don't, yes there is better match ups for Mayweather to take but this still isn't a bad fight, and to be honest with you i can't see how you wouldn't want to watch this fight, the skill level in this fight is pretty great and i can't see how any true boxing fan wouldn't be intrigued by that but thats just my opinion.

Mayweather has proved he is an ATG he has won 5 titles in 5 weight classes, and off the top of my head only about 5 fighters have ever done that. Plus he has plenty of quality wins that certainly should label him ATG. Even if Mayweather retired after the rematch with ODLH he would still be ranked pretty high in all time P4P lists, probably only just outside the top 20, and skill wise he is probably top 5 of all time. I don't know what you class as "ATG" but Mayweather has the skills of an ATG, he has the wins of an ATG, he has the accomplishments of an ATG IMO.

How can Mayweather KO'ing Hatton not mean anything to you ?? ok i'll admit Hatton is better at 140 but come on, Hatton was at least ranked 8th by ring magazine on P4P lists if i remember right, and most people here had him in the top 10 P4P lists. And when you dominate and KO a P4P fighter in impressive fashion like Mayweather did, i find that astonishing that you don't find that impressive. And how in the hell is beating David Diaz at Lightweight who is considered weakest title holder at 135, better than beating ODLH who was almost stone heavier than Mayweather ?? ODLH is a much better fighter than Diaz P4P.

And you talk about should Mayweather be ahead of Pacquiao in P4P lists, and my answer is hell yes without a doubt in my mind. Mayweather is the better skilled fighter P4P, he has more achievements, he has been at the top way longer, he has more quality wins. I think its pretty easy answer to be honest. I agree with your comments about Mayweather fighting winner of Cotto vs Margarito but i still disagree Mayweather vs ODLH 2 is a bad match up.

You mentioned Lederman had it 115-113 for Castillo in the first fight, i think your getting mixed Lederman had it 115-111 in favor of Castillo, but he did have Mayweather winning the rematch 115-113 so maybe thats what your thinking of. I thought Castillo nicked it but i can for certain see a case for Mayweather winning, plus lets remember Mayweather had a shoulder injury going into 1st Castillo fight, and lets remember Mayweather won the rematch very convincing, and also these fights were years ago and Mayweather has improved since those fights.

[Poom]

Dont agree with everything there "the wind", but was an interesting read - Cheers